Supramolecular White-Light Emission Controlled by Regulation of Host–Guest Interaction, Illumination, and Slight Förster Resonance Energy Transfer

Abstract

In this study, it develops a series of slight Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) systems incorporating donors (DP5 or the mixture of DP5 and PZ-Br) and acceptors (PZ-Br or Rh-COOH) through host–guest interactions. Within these FRET systems, the energy transfer efficiency reaches up to 58%. Notably, by precisely tuning the self-assemblies between the donors (DP5 or the mixture of DP5 and PZ-Br) and acceptors (PZ-Br or Rh-COOH), this study achieves tunable multicolor emissions without the need for complex synthesis or structural modifications. Most importantly, irradiating the FRET system containing the mixture of DP5 and PZ-Br and excess Rh-COOH with a 365 nm lamp for 45 min results in a system capable of tuning fluorescence from pink to pure white or even yellow. Furthermore, these FRET systems can be employed in the fabrication of white-light fluorescent films. These recent findings highlight an additional and promising application of Pillar[n]arenes in the development of white-light emission materials.