Clustering-triggered phosphorescence of nonconventional luminophores

Nonconventional luminophores have attracted significant attention for their unique photophysical properties and potential applications in different areas. Unlike classic luminogens consisting of remarkably conjugated segments, nonconventional luminophores generally possess merely nonconjugated or short-conjugated structures based on electron-rich units. Fluorescence, phosphorescence, and even color tunable room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) could be readily obtained from these unique luminophores. Herein, we summarized recent advances in the phosphorescence of nonconventional luminophores, with focus on RTP and color tunable RTP. The clustering-triggered emission (CTE) mechanism could be applied to explain the luminescence as clustering-triggered phosphorescence (CTP). Furthermore, strategies toward the RTP regulation are summarized, and corresponding applications are demonstrated.