Circularly Polarized Luminescence Based on Helical Polymers: Structure-Property Relationships and Regulation Mechanisms

Abstract

Circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) materials have attracted considerable attention because of their unique chiroptical properties and promising applications. However, the simultaneous achievement of a high luminescence dissymmetry factor (g_lum), high photoluminescence quantum yield, excellent processability, and environmental stability remains challenging. Chiral helical polymers, featuring single-handed helical conformations, have emerged as versatile and powerful platforms for constructing high-performance CPL systems by utilizing their inherent chiral amplification effects, tunable conformational dynamics, and ability to form hierarchically ordered structures. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in CPL materials based on chiral helical polymers, focusing on the regulation of chiroptical properties through polymer conformation, mesoscopic ordered structures, and photophysical pathways. CPL systems are categorized into three main classes: monocomponent chiral helical polymers, multi-component organic composites, and organic-inorganic hybrids. For each category, representative molecular design strategies, fabrication methodologies, and CPL performance were elaborated, emphasizing the underlying structure-property relationships. The key mechanisms governing CPL generation and amplification are discussed in depth, including chirality transfer, solvent- and state-dependent chiral inversion, selective absorption/filtering, and cholesteric liquid-crystal-mediated photonic amplification. Furthermore, representative breakthroughs, such as near-infrared CPL, room-temperature phosphorescence, and long-persistent CPL, are highlighted. Finally, the current challenges and future directions are outlined, providing a guideline for the rational design and practical application of next-generation helical polymer-based CPL materials.