Direct Integration of Red‐NIR Emissive Ceramic‐like A_nM₆Xⁱ₈X^a₆ Metal Cluster Salts in Organic Copolymers Using Supramolecular Interactions

Abstract

Hybrid nanomaterials made of inorganic nanocomponents dispersed in an organic host raise an increasing interest as low-cost solution-processable functional materials. However, preventing phase segregation while allowing a high inorganic doping content remains a major challenge, and usual methods require a functionalization step prior integration. Herein, we report a new approach to design such nanocomposite in which ceramic-like metallic nanocluster compounds are embedded at 10 wt % in organic copolymers, without any functionalization. Dispersion homogeneity and stability are ensured by weak interactions occurring between the copolymer lateral chains and the nanocluster compound. Hybrids could be ink-jet printed and casted on a blue LED. This proof-of-concept device emits in the red-NIR area and generates singlet oxygen, O₂ (¹ Δg), of particular interest for lights, display, sensors or photodynamic based therapy applications.