Tuning Solid-State Emission of 9-Anthraldehyde through Cocrystal Engineering

The regulation of solid-state emission based on cocrystal engineering is an emerging strategy for developing next-generation luminescent materials. Here, three luminescent cocrystals (AA-DITFB, AA-TFTPA and AA-TCNB) of 9-anthraldehyde (9-AA) are reported, which exhibit a broad range of green-to-red emission. Tuning the photophysical properties of 9-AA via cocrystals is based on different mechanisms. Compared with single-component crystals, the difference in the emission properties of AA-DITFB and AA-TFTPA originates from the p-p interaction between chromophores. As for AA-TCNB, its prominent red-shifted emission is the result of the charge-transfer interaction, which is confirmed by infrared spectroscopy, hole-electron analysis and charge-transfer spectroscopy. This work not only reveals the relationship between molecular structure and fluorescent properties, but also proposes a strategy to develop multicolor luminescent systems with tunable efficiency and lifetime.

Automated summary

In this study, an emerging strategy of regulating solid-state emission based on cocrystal engineering is reported, and a broad range of green-to-red emission is achieved in 9-anthraldehyde cocrystals. The photophysical properties of 9-AA are tuned via cocrystals through different mechanisms.