Tuning Fluorescence in Stilbene-Based Materials: Host-Guest Systems and Energy Transfer for Enhanced Solid-State and Bioimaging Applications

Tuning Fluorescence in Stilbene-Based Materials: Host-Guest Systems and Energy Transfer for Enhanced Solid-State and Bioimaging Applications

Abstrakt

Photoluminescent materials based on organic conjugated molecules have been widely studied for their unique optical properties, color tunability, and potential applications in various fields. Intense solid-state fluorescence (SSF) is particularly useful for technologies such as organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), light-emitting field-effect transistors, and water-dispersible nanoparticles for bioimaging. This study focuses on the properties of stilbene-based photoluminescent materials in both solid-state form and molecular mixtures. Their fluorescence primarily arises from intramolecular charge-transfer (CT) transitions, which allow for a broad range of emission colors. However, in red-emitting materials, band-gap narrowing can reduce fluorescence quantum yields due to increased rate of non-radiative processes. One way to overcome this is through host-guest (HG) systems, where a mixture of two structurally similar molecules with different band-gap energies enhances fluorescence via Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET). In these systems, the donor molecule transfers energy to the acceptor, boosting its fluorescence beyond its typical levels. When formulated as nanoparticles, these materials exhibit stronger acceptor-like photoluminescence. By carefully selecting donor-acceptor pairs and their ratios, it is possible to achieve partial energy transfer, leading to materials that emit a balanced combination of both components—creating bright white-light-emitting (WLE) materials. Materials with strong solid-state fluorescence are highly desirable for many applications. WLE materials are particularly useful in OLEDs and field-effect transistors, while far-red (FR) emitting nanoparticles play a crucial role in bioimaging. In biological applications, FR fluorescence offers several advantages, including reduced background autofluorescence, lower light scattering, and improved tissue penetration. These factors contribute to better optical contrast and reduced photodamage, making FR-emitting materials especially valuable for imaging applications. This study highlights the importance of carefully designing photoluminescent materials to optimize their performance for specific technological and biomedical uses.

Photoluminescent materials based on organic conjugated molecules have been widely studied for their unique optical properties, color tunability, and potential applications in various fields. Intense solid-state fluorescence (SSF) is particularly useful for technologies such as organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), light-emitting field-effect transistors, and water-dispersible nanoparticles for bioimaging. This study focuses on the properties of stilbene-based photoluminescent materials in both solid-state form and molecular mixtures. Their fluorescence primarily arises from intramolecular charge-transfer (CT) transitions, which allow for a broad range of emission colors. However, in red-emitting materials, band-gap narrowing can reduce fluorescence quantum yields due to increased rate of non-radiative processes. One way to overcome this is through host-guest (HG) systems, where a mixture of two structurally similar molecules with different band-gap energies enhances fluorescence via Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET). In these systems, the donor molecule transfers energy to the acceptor, boosting its fluorescence beyond its typical levels. When formulated as nanoparticles, these materials exhibit stronger acceptor-like photoluminescence. By carefully selecting donor-acceptor pairs and their ratios, it is possible to achieve partial energy transfer, leading to materials that emit a balanced combination of both components—creating bright white-light-emitting (WLE) materials. Materials with strong solid-state fluorescence are highly desirable for many applications. WLE materials are particularly useful in OLEDs and field-effect transistors, while far-red (FR) emitting nanoparticles play a crucial role in bioimaging. In biological applications, FR fluorescence offers several advantages, including reduced background autofluorescence, lower light scattering, and improved tissue penetration. These factors contribute to better optical contrast and reduced photodamage, making FR-emitting materials especially valuable for imaging applications. This study highlights the importance of carefully designing photoluminescent materials to optimize their performance for specific technological and biomedical uses.

SMOLKA, R.; KOLAŘÍKOVÁ, A.; ČEKAL, J.; PAUK, K.; LUŇÁK, S.; IMRAMOVSKÝ, A.; GEORGIEV, A.; VALA, M.

24.03.2025

Bulharsko, Sofia

Book of abstracts; International Conference on Bioactive, Organic and Inorganic Advanced Materials and Clean Technologies

76

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https://ctt.uctm.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/BiOrgaMCT-conference_Book-of-abstracts_27.03.pdf