A series of naphthalimide (NAI)-based red-emissive thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) acrylic monomers has been designed and synthesized. When copolymerized with a host material by Cu(0)-reversible deactivation radical polymerization (Cu(0)-RDRP), polymers exhibiting orange to deep-red TADF were obtained with quantum yields of up to 58% in solution and 31% in the solid state. These emitters exhibit dual emission consisting of high-energy prompt fluorescence from the NAI acceptor (λmax = 340 nm in toluene) and red-delayed fluorescence from the charge-transfer process (λmax = 633-711 nm in toluene). This dual emissive property was utilized to create red-to-blue temperature-responsive polymers by copolymerization of NAI-DMAC with N-isopropylacrylamide and a blue fluorescent dopant. These polymers exhibit red TADF at room temperature and blue fluorescence at 70 °C, with a high ratiometric fluorescent thermal response of 32 ± 4% K-1. Such systems are anticipated to have utility in bioimaging, drug delivery, and temperature sensing, further expanding the range of applications for red TADF materials.
Keywords: Cu(0)-RDRP; TADF; deep-red fluorescence; naphthalimide; thermoresponsive material.