Efficient energy phosphorescence transfer and reversible phosphorescence in aromatic heterocyclic doped systems for advanced information storage

Organic room-temperature phosphorescent (RTP) materials have garnered significant attention in recent years due to their unique advantages, including diverse molecular structures, excellent biocompatibility, and favorable processability. Aromatic heterocyclic groups are known to effectively promote intersystem crossing (ISC), leading to a wide range of applications in this field. In this study, dibenzo[a,c]phenazin-11-yl(phenyl)methanone (DPM) was used as an energy acceptor, doped with the host material benzophenone (BP) and its derivatives (BP-R) as energy donors. After simple mixing and thorough mechanical grinding of both the host and guest components, photophysical process such as Phosphorescence resonance energy transfer (PRET) was activated, resulting in RTP emission. The doped system exhibited efficient golden-yellow phosphorescent emission with a phosphorescence lifetime of 196 ms and quantum yield of 30.5 %. Surprisingly, the DPM@PMMA film exhibits a gold-colored room-temperature phosphorescent emission and can be switched “on” and “off” with reversible phosphorescence by exposing the film to acidic and alkaline gases. Notably, the phosphorescent emission properties remain stable after multiple cycles. This doping system is further applied to various methods of information storage and encryption, highlighting its potential for multi-scenario applications.