Breakthrough in Quantum Confinement Achieved Without Physical Reduction

Researchers at the Xinjiang Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry have achieved a groundbreaking advancement in materials science by realizing quantum confinement in covalent organic frameworks (COFs) without physically resizing the materials. Led by Prof. DOU Xincun, the team synthesized a new COF, trans-1,4-diaminocyclohexane (tDACH), which utilizes cyclohexane-based linkers to create intrinsic exciton confinement at the molecular level. This innovative approach resulted in impressive photoluminescent (PL) properties, with a PL quantum yield of 73%, surpassing existing imine-based COFs. The tDACH-COF has potential applications as a PL probe for detecting nerve agent simulants, leveraging its efficient PL quenching through imine protonation. These findings, published in Cell Reports Physical Science, could bridge the gap between COFs and commercial PL materials, opening new avenues in optoelectronics and chemical sensing.