Aggregation-induced intersystem crossing: a novel strategy for efficient molecular phosphorescence

Aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ) and aggregation-induced emission (AIE) are two well-known mechanisms for polymer luminescence. Here we proposed an alternative mechanism termed aggregation-induced intersystem crossing (AI-ISC). By aggregating certain fluorescent dye molecules, one can improve the energy matches between excited singlet and triplet states so as to promote the intersystem crossing (ISC) rate, and consequently prolong the lifetime of excited electrons by steering them into triplet states. First-principles calculations suggested that the enhanced ISC rate could substantially promote molecular phosphorescence in aggregated systems of originally fluorescent dye molecules, as later validated by experimental measurement. Meanwhile, the emission spectra experience a red shift along with the aggregation, providing a convenient knob to tune the phosphorescence wavelength. The proposed AI-ISC mechanism may open up a new design approach for the emerging luminescent material applications.