Mechanochemical Fabrication of AIE-Active Materials for Diverse Applications

Mechanochemical synthesis represents a versatile and environmentally friendly approach where mechanical force initiates chemical reactions, providing distinct advantages such as unique reactivity, minimal solvent use, and enhanced energy efficiency.^[1],[2] This method of developing luminescent materials through mechanochemistry presents an exciting yet complex area in materials science. Despite its potential, the construction of AIE-active materials via mechanochemistry is still a largely unexplored field. In this context, we highlight several research initiatives focused on the facile mechanochemical fabrication of AIE-active materials for a variety of applications: (1) Up-cycling of generic polymers with AIE pre-fluorophores for smart materials;^[3] (2) AIE-perovskite hybrid materials with unity quantum yield for light-harvesting and light-emitting devices; (3) Facile synthesis of near-infrared AIEgens for dual-color imaging-guided therapy. These research efforts showcase the potential of mechanochemical synthesis to expand the functional capabilities of AIE-active materials, paving the way for innovative applications.

References
[1] R. T. O’Neil, R. Boulatov* Nat. Rev. Chem. 2021, 5, 148–167.
[2] N. Fantozzi, J.-N. Volle, A. Porcheddu, D. Virieux, F. García,* E. Colacino* Chem. Soc. Rev. 2023, 52, 6680–6714
[3] Xie, H.; Wang, J.; Lou, Z.; Hu, L.*; Segawa, S.; Kang, X.; Wu, W.; Luo, Z.; Kwok, R. T. K.; Lam, J. W. Y.; Zhang, J.*; Tang, B. Z.* J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2024, 146, 18350–18359