Clusteroluminescence (CL) has drawn much attention in recent years. However, the design of red emission clusteroluminogens (CLgens) with tunable CL is still in its infancy. Herein, we report a simple heating process to prepare red emission poly(maleic anhydride-alt-vinyl acetate) (PMV) derivatives with a tunable maximum emission wavelength between 620 and 675 nm. First, heating above the glass transition temperature (Tg) would promote the movement of polymer chains and facilitate the formation of clusters in both solid and solution states. Then, heating beyond the decomposition temperature at which vinyl acetate converts into C═C is favorable to the formation of new clusters and large through-space conjugation among subgroups in polymer chains. Their synergistic effects realize the adjustable emission wavelength and higher quantum yield of polymers. Additionally, low-cost and eco-friendly core-shell PMV particles are prepared as agricultural light conversion agents and exhibit great compatibility with polyethylene.
Keywords: clusteroluminescence; glass transition temperature; heating process; light conversion film; through-space conjugation; tunable red emission.