Chromatically polarized Afterglow: Photo-controlled and anisotropic persistent luminescence from doped polymeric systems

Organic persistent luminescent (OPL) materials showing persistent luminescence at room temperature have caught significant research attention for decades. Integrating chromatic polarization into an OPL system with tunable emissions is attractive and challenging but rarely reported. Herein we propose a strategy to realize linear-polarization-dependent afterglow color with reversible photo-patterning capability. This is accomplished through the use of an acridone-based Förster-resonance energy transfer (FRET) system, which is coupled with aligned Au-nanorods. The composite shows reversible UV-lithographic capability attributed to the generation of radicals by the acridone luminophore. Importantly, this system allows for the variation of chromatic afterglow based on the linear polarized angles relative to the aligned direction of AuNRs. The multiple delayed emission peaks are absorbed in a polarized-dependent manner due to the anisotropic plasmonic resonance of the aligned Au-nanorods. With the photo-patterning capability, polarization- and humidity-dependent afterglow, this approach holds the potential to contribute to various applications of OPL materials, such as sensors, information encryption, and anti-counterfeiting.