Broad-spectrum-excited red afterglow realized via host–guest doping strategy

In recent years, afterglow materials have attracted increasing attention. However, there have been few reports on red afterglow materials with broad-spectrum excitation. In this study, trace doping of the guest molecules 2,6-NAI (2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid) and R (dye molecule) into the composite (2,6-NAI + R)@ZnBDC·XH₂O resulted in a red afterglow visible to the naked eye. Detailed research indicates that the energy transfer between the dye guest molecules and 2,6-NAI@ZnBDC·XH₂O is the main reason for the observed afterglow. Additionally, in some (2,6-NAI + R)@ZnBDC·XH₂O composites, the confinement effect of the host on the dye guest molecules enables direct visible-light excitation of the afterglow from the dye molecules within the composite, further expanding the application scope of the afterglow materials. This work not only provides a new approach for preparing long-wavelength, long-lived doped afterglow materials but also opens up possibilities for future research.