Research paperHighly photoluminescent polysilsesquioxane hybrids based on weakly fluorescent 1,8-naphthalic anhydride derivatives

•Highly fluorescent polysilsesquioxane materials based on weakly fluorescent molecules.•The substituent effect became negligible in composite polysilsesquioxane.•Restricted molecular motion and J-aggregation resulting in fluorescence enhancement.

A series of highly fluorescent polysilsesquioxane materials based on 1,8-naphthalic anhydride derivatives(XNA) have been prepared. The XNAs were chemically bonded with the polysiloxane. Though the fluorescent intensities of the solution of XNAs with different substitutes make a great difference, some of them are even very weakly emissive, the fluorescent intensities of the corresponding solid polysilsesquioxane materials are strong. In this case, the electronic effect of the substitute became non-important. With restricted molecular motion and J-aggregation, some traditionally weakly fluorescent or non-fluorescent chromophoric organics due to the substituent effect may be used to prepare highly fluorescent materials.

Graphical abstractDownload high-res image (117KB)Download full-size image