Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• • The synthesized chiral polymer enantiomers R/S-PFC, after annealing at 110 °C and self-assembly in chloroform/n-hexane (9:1 v/v), yield AIE@CPdots with a luminescence dissymmetry factor |g_lum| = 4.4 × 10⁻³ at 462 nm, demonstrating effective chiral transfer and amplified CPL, which is critical for achieving high dissymmetry in solution-processed OLEDs. • • CP-OLEDs employing AIE@CPdots as the emission layer achieve an electroluminescence dissymmetry factor |g_EL| = 3.0 × 10⁻³ at 464 nm, a maximum luminance of 6022 cd m⁻², and a maximum current efficiency of 1.10 cd A⁻¹, indicating that self-assembled chiral dots can simultaneously provide decent circular polarization and practical brightness for display applications. • • The use of AIE-active cyanostyrene dye within the polymer backbone ensures aggregation-induced emission, which mitigates concentration quenching and maintains high photoluminescence quantum yields in the solid state, a key requirement for efficient OLED emissive layers. • • The self-assembly approach via solvent mixing and thermal annealing offers a scalable, low-cost route to fabricate chiral emissive nanomaterials, overcoming the low chiral transfer efficiency often seen in inorganic nanoparticle systems, and thus provides a viable pathway for industrial production of CP-OLEDs.
Abstract
Aggregation-induced emission active chiral polymer dots (AIE@CPdots) are emerging as high-performance emission layers (EMLs) for circularly polarized organic light-emitting diodes (CP-OLEDs) due to their persistent emission stability, high photoluminescence quantum yields, excellent solution processability, facile functionalization, tunable bandgap-governed emission, and superior device processability. However, reports on such systems remain scarce. In this study, a pair of chiral conjugated polymer enantiomers (R/S-PFC) was synthesized via Suzuki polymerization using three monomers: a chiral binaphthalene moiety, a fluorenyl linker, and an AIE-active cyanostyrene dye. After annealing at 110 °C, the resulting R/S-PFC self-assembled into chiral nanoparticles (AIE@CPdots) in a chloroform/n-hexane mixed solvent (9:1 v/v), exhibiting enhanced circularly polarized luminescence with a luminescence dissymmetry factor (|g_lum|) of 4.4 × 10⁻³ at 462 nm. Notably, AIE@CPdots served as the EML in CP-OLEDs, achieving high-performance circularly polarized electroluminescence with an electroluminescence dissymmetry factor (|g_EL|) of 3.0 × 10⁻³ at 464 nm, a maximum luminance (L_max) of 6022 cd m⁻², and a maximum current efficiency (CE_max) of 1.10 cd A⁻¹. This work provides a novel strategy for designing superior EML materials for CP-OLEDs via chiral self-assembled AIE@CPdots.
1. Introduction
Circularly polarized organic light-emitting diodes (CP-OLEDs) hold promise for next-generation displays, offering enhanced energy efficiency, superior 3D stereoscopic imaging, and reduced visual fatigue. However, a persistent bottleneck is the simultaneous achievement of high electroluminescence dissymmetry factor (g_EL) and outstanding external quantum efficiency (EQE). Conventional emissive materials, such as chiral small molecules, metal complexes, and conjugated polymers, often suffer from low chiral transfer efficiency or poor film morphology, limiting their practical deployment. Recent efforts have focused on chiral dots, which exhibit persistent emission stability, high photoluminescence quantum yields, and solution processability, yet reports on organic chiral polymer dots (CPdots) for circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) remain scarce.
This work addresses the bottleneck by synthesizing chiral conjugated polymer enantiomers (R/S-PFC) that self-assemble into AIE-active chiral polymer dots (AIE@CPdots) under mild conditions. The self-assembly process, driven by chiral binaphthalene moieties and AIE-active cyanostyrene units, enables efficient chiral transfer and amplified CPL, as evidenced by a |g_lum| of 4.4 × 10⁻³. When employed as the emission layer in CP-OLEDs, these dots achieve a |g_EL| of 3.0 × 10⁻³, a maximum luminance of 6022 cd m⁻², and a maximum current efficiency of 1.10 cd A⁻¹, demonstrating that self-assembled AIE@CPdots are a viable and effective strategy for high-performance CP-OLEDs.
Loading authentic research manuscript (Pages 1–5)...
Jiang Zhenhao, He Jiaqi, Li Dong, Wang Pengxiang, Zhang Yu, Zhang Junsheng, Cheng Yixiang (2026). Improved circularly polarized electroluminescence achieved using self-assembled aggregation-induced emission active chiral polymer dots. SCIENCE CHINA Materials. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40843-025-3650-6
Research & Educational Purpose Only: The translations, structured abstracts, analytical annotations, and data reports provided by SinoGreenTechare intended exclusively for academic research, internal corporate R&D, and educational benchmarking. They do not constitute formal engineering, chemical safety, legal, or professional advice.
Copyright & Intellectual Property Notice: Original copyright of the underlying source articles and experimental data remains with the respective authors, institutions, and original publishing journals. SinoGreenTech claims intellectual property only over its proprietary translations, analytical syntheses, and AEO structured enhancements in accordance with international fair use and academic citation principles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the thermal stability of the AIE@CPdots film under continuous operation, and how does the annealing temperature (110 °C) affect the self-assembly and device performance?
The study does not report long-term operational stability data. However, the annealing at 110 °C is critical for inducing self-assembly into chiral nanoparticles, which enhances the dissymmetry factor. The resulting film exhibits a maximum luminance of 6022 cd m⁻² and a current efficiency of 1.10 cd A⁻¹, indicating adequate thermal robustness for initial device operation. Further stress tests are needed to assess long-term stability.
How does the |g_EL| of 3.0 × 10⁻³ compare to state-of-the-art CP-OLEDs, and what are the trade-offs between dissymmetry and efficiency?
The |g_EL| of 3.0 × 10⁻³ is moderate; state-of-the-art CP-OLEDs can achieve |g_EL| values up to 10⁻², but often at the cost of lower EQE. This work reports a maximum current efficiency of 1.10 cd A⁻¹, which is relatively low, indicating that further optimization of the chiral emitter structure and device architecture is required to balance dissymmetry and efficiency.
What is the scalability of the Suzuki polymerization and self-assembly process for industrial production of AIE@CPdots?
Suzuki polymerization is well-established for large-scale synthesis of conjugated polymers, and the self-assembly process involves simple solvent mixing and annealing, which are amenable to roll-to-roll processing. However, the use of chiral binaphthalene monomers may increase cost, and the reproducibility of self-assembly at scale needs validation. The reported quantum yields and dissymmetry factors suggest potential for scale-up, but economic feasibility studies are required.
What are the failure mechanisms of the AIE@CPdots-based OLEDs under high current densities, and how does the AIE property mitigate efficiency roll-off?
The paper does not provide detailed failure analysis. However, AIE-active materials typically suppress aggregation-caused quenching, which can reduce efficiency roll-off at high brightness. The maximum luminance of 6022 cd m⁻² indicates moderate stability, but further studies on degradation pathways, such as joule heating and charge-induced degradation, are necessary to understand failure mechanisms.
How does the choice of solvent ratio (chloroform/n-hexane 9:1) influence the size and uniformity of the AIE@CPdots, and what is the impact on device performance?
The solvent ratio is optimized to induce self-assembly into chiral nanoparticles with enhanced CPL. The study reports a |g_lum| of 4.4 × 10⁻³ at 462 nm, indicating well-formed chiral aggregates. The uniformity and size distribution are not detailed, but the device performance (L_max = 6022 cd m⁻², CE_max = 1.10 cd A⁻¹) suggests that the dots form a smooth emissive layer. Further morphological characterization would clarify the structure-property relationship.
Related Chinese Research & Cross-Citations
Ammonium Vanadate Cathodes in Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries: Design Strategies and Research Progress
Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) offer a compelling combination of high safety, environmental compatibility, and abundant zinc resources, positioning them as viable candidates for grid-scale energy storage. Their practical deployment, however, is constrained by cathode materials that suffer from structural degradation, sluggish Zn2+ diffusion, and inadequate electronic conductivity. Ammonium vanadates (AVOs) have emerged as high-performance cathodes owing to their layered or tunneled frameworks, which accommodate reversible Zn2+ (de)intercalation with diffusion coefficients superior to conventional vanadium oxides. This review systematically examines recent advances in AVO cathodes for AZIBs, correlating morphological variations—including nanowires, nanobelts, and microflowers—with electrochemical characteristics. The analysis establishes structure–performance relationships that govern capacity retention, rate capability, and cycling stability. Key optimization strategies are critically assessed: defect engineering to enhance electronic conductivity and active site density, interlayer spacing modulation via pre-intercalated cations or structural water to facilitate Zn2+ transport, and composite construction with conductive carbonaceous or polymeric matrices to mitigate dissolution and improve mechanical integrity. Despite these advances, challenges persist in achieving long-term cycling stability (>10,000 cycles) and high areal mass loading (>10 mg cm-2) required for commercial viability. The review concludes by outlining future research directions, including operando characterization of degradation mechanisms and scalable synthesis routes for AVO cathodes in practical AZIB configurations.
Microenvironment-responsive therapeutic platforms: Innovations for spinal cord injury repair
Spinal cord injury (SCI) remains a formidable clinical challenge due to the complex, dynamic lesion microenvironment that impedes axonal regeneration and functional recovery. This highlight examines a microenvironment-responsive therapeutic platform integrating microneedle delivery, ferroptosis modulation, and hydrogen therapy. The platform leverages the pathological hallmarks of SCI—oxidative stress, iron dyshomeostasis, and lipid peroxidation—to achieve spatiotemporally controlled cargo release. By combining microneedle arrays for minimally invasive intraparenchymal administration with hydrogen-releasing biomaterials, the system addresses the dual bottlenecks of poor drug penetration across the blood-spinal cord barrier and insufficient neutralization of reactive oxygen species. Ferroptosis inhibition is achieved through iron chelation and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) stabilization, while hydrogen gas scavenges hydroxyl radicals and peroxynitrite. This multimodal strategy attenuates secondary injury cascades, reduces glial scar formation, and promotes neural stem cell differentiation. The work is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (82574518) and the Talent Cultivation Project of Paring Academicians with Young Talents in higher education institutions in Zhejiang. The authors declare no conflict of interest. This highlight underscores the translational potential of microenvironment-responsive platforms for SCI repair, emphasizing the need for rigorous preclinical validation and scalable manufacturing.
Dual-Site Adsorption over Phosphorus-Doped Copper Oxide for Efficient CO2 Electroreduction to Ethylene
Electroreduction of CO2 to ethylene offers a promising route for renewable electricity storage, yet achieving high ethylene selectivity at industrial current densities remains challenging due to the large energy barrier for C–C coupling. Here, we report a “MOF-assisted in situ doping” strategy to introduce the oxophilic nonmetal phosphorus (P) into the copper oxide (CuO) lattice, constructing a localized Cu–P dual-site adsorption configuration for the key *OCCHO intermediate. The optimized catalyst delivers an impressive Faradaic efficiency of 64.6% for ethylene with a partial current density of 646 mA cm-2. Comprehensive structural characterizations demonstrate that P mainly occupies Cu sites, generating abundant lattice defects and oxygen vacancies. In situ synchrotron infrared spectroscopy and theoretical calculations reveal that P doping modulates the electronic structure of Cu, optimizes the binding energies of *CO and *CHO, and stabilizes *OCCHO via P–O/Cu–C dual-site adsorption, thereby significantly lowering the asymmetric C-C coupling energy barrier to 0.74 eV. This work highlights a dual-site microenvironment regulation strategy for CO2-to-ethylene electroreduction.
Hydrophilic Single-Atom Interface Unlocks Low-Potential CO Removal on Pt in PEMFCs
Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) fed with reformate hydrogen suffer severe anode poisoning by trace CO, necessitating high CO electrooxidation potentials that degrade performance and durability. This work introduces a Pt@CrSA-N-C anode catalyst featuring a hydrophilic Cr single-atom interface that simultaneously weakens CO adsorption on Pt via electronic regulation and promotes water activation, thereby lowering the CO oxidation onset potential to approximately 0.13 V vs. RHE. The onset potential was determined by two independent methods: the first potential at which the background-corrected current exceeds 0 mA cm-2 during CO oxidation reaction tests in a three-electrode system, and the potential at which the forward scan current exceeds the N2 background current in CO-stripping voltammetry. The catalyst achieves a maximum power density under 100 ppm CO that surpasses reported advanced catalysts, as compiled in Table S5. Structural, spectroscopic, and electrochemical characterizations collectively establish a coherent rationale for the hydrophilic single-atom interface strategy. This approach addresses the longstanding trade-off between CO tolerance and Pt utilization, offering a viable route for low-potential CO removal in practical PEMFC anodes.
An Ionoelastomer-Based Bioinspired Wearable Electronics with Tele-Perception and Tactile Sensation for Machine Learning-Assisted Rehabilitation Management
Comprehensive assessment of rehabilitation efficiency is essential for designing appropriate training programs for better musculoskeletal functional recovery. Existing contact-receptor-dependent rehabilitation assessment systems mostly focus on assessing the restoration of muscle function by evaluating grip strength or joint flexion angle; however, parameters reflecting neuromuscular synergistic function are always overlooked. Herein, we develop an ionoelastomer-based soft artificial electroreceptor (SAER) that integrates tele-perception and tactile sensation to track the rehabilitation process, collecting signals related to approaching speed and grip strength sequentially. The SAER uses polyurethane ionoelastomer incorporated with quasi-solid conductive salt as the electric field receptor, and is integrated on a rehabilitation-training ball after assembly to establish an untethered detection device; this enables the remote capture of hand approaching parameter within a 9 cm range, followed by the quantification of grip strength when contacting and grasping. Furthermore, a data-driven assessment system is established by integrating machine learning, which accurately classifies rehabilitation efficiency into six levels; it supports for rehabilitation evaluation and training programs adjustment. Overall, the SAER-based rehabilitation management system establishes a paradigm that synergistically evaluating parameters corresponding to neuromuscular functional restoration and holds strong potential for home-based active rehabilitation for minimizing dependence on frequent clinical supervision.
Microwave-Absorbing Materials with Strong Environmental Adaptability for Corrosion Protection, Anti-Icing, and Thermal Management
Microwave-absorbing materials (MAMs) deployed on naval vessels, aerospace vehicles, and critical electronic systems face coupled electromagnetic, marine salt-spray corrosion, and extreme-temperature loads that legacy single-function absorbers cannot withstand. This review consolidates progress on three environmentally adaptive MAM classes: corrosion-protective, anti-icing, and thermal-management absorbers. The electromagnetic loss and impedance-matching fundamentals are first established, then the synergistic mechanisms, design strategies, and characterization protocols for each class are examined against representative material systems and their measured performance. The analysis identifies a shared design logic—multiscale hierarchical architecture, interfacial polarization engineering, and multifunctional phase integration—while distinguishing the divergent protection mechanisms: barrier and passivation effects for corrosion, surface-energy and latent-heat regulation for anti-icing, and phonon–electron transport decoupling for thermal management. Persistent bottlenecks include the trade-off between impedance matching and protective-layer density, the absence of standardized coupled-field test protocols, and the scarcity of long-term salt-spray and thermal-cycling durability data. Future directions are delineated: intelligent self-adaptive absorbers, multiphysics-coupled simulation frameworks, and environmentally benign multifunctional integration. The review provides a theoretical and technical basis for the design, construction, and engineering scale-up of next-generation high-performance absorbers for aerospace, electronic, and marine equipment.