Luminescent periodic mesoporous organosilicas

Abstract

Progress in the development of periodic mesoporous organosilicas (PMOs) bearing luminescent organic groups is reviewed and directions for future research are highlighted. The inclusion of luminescent organic groups in the PMO framework allows for the preparation of materials with dissimilar luminescent groups in two spatially separated regions; the framework and the mesopore channels. Mesoporous silicas, in contrast, only bear luminescent dyes in the channels of the material structure. In multi-dye systems, the transfer of excitation energy from the framework donors to acceptors in the mesochannels is observed. Certain PMOs, such as biphenyl PMO, exhibit efficient light absorption due to the dense packing of chromophores in the framework, and high luminescence quantum yields, demonstrating the potential of luminescent PMOs as a lighting technology. Fluorescence studies have revealed that the interaction among bridging organic groups in PMOs differs between crystal-like and amorphous frameworks. These recent developments highlight the potential of luminescent PMOs as a new technology, which should be supported by further investigation of the optical properties and functionalization of PMOs.