Triplet–Triplet Annihilation Upconversion from Red to Blue Light Using a TADF Sensitizer Based Polymer

Molecules capable of thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) can exhibit triplet lifetimes on the order of μs-ms as well as low energy losses in the intersystem crossing (ISC) process. As a result, they have great potential to be used as sensitizers in triplet–triplet annihilation upconversion (TTA-UC) systems with high anti-Stokes shifts, replacing traditional phosphorescent sensitizers. In this study, we employ a red-absorbing boron difluoride curcuminoid-based TADF molecule as the sensitizer and a 9,10-diphenylanthracene derivative as the annihilator. We polymerize them to synthesize a polymer-based red-to-blue TTA-UC system with an anti-Stokes shift of up to 182 nm (0.9 eV) and an upconversion photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 0.77%. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a TTA-UC polymer containing a TADF photosensitizer. The upconversion properties were investigated through power-dependent experiments and photoluminescence decay measurements. This work provides a more detailed understanding of TTA-UC polymers, highlights the strength of TADF sensitizers in improving anti-Stokes shifts in TTA-UC systems, and demonstrates the feasibility of building polymer-based upconversion systems. This development will expand the application of purely organic TTA-UC.