Fluorescent Organic Glass with Unique Optical and Mechanical Properties

Abstract

Conventional organic glasses such as molecular and polymeric glasses either lack processability or have ill-defined properties. Here, a novel organic glass is reported having well-defined fluorescent properties and high compatibility with various fabrication processes. The fluorescent organic glass (FOG) is synthesized by simply heating benzyl alcohol with a small amount of aqueous sulfuric acid. Owing to its outstanding optical properties, FOG is placed beyond the domain of conventional organic glasses in the Abbe diagram. Moreover, excellent rheological properties render it amenable to molding, blowing, and nanopatterning processes. Finally, based on extensive characterization, it is proposed that a FOG is composed of a 1,2,3,4-tetraphenyl-1,3-butadiene core and poly(phenylene methylene) branches, which are responsible for molecular fluorescence and polymeric processability, respectively. The demonstration may contribute significantly to the development of organic glasses with unprecedented properties for various applications.