Carbonized polymer dots with aqueous‐stable room‐temperature phosphorescence: Mechanism, matrix engineering, and application

Abstract

Carbonized polymer dots (CPDs) exhibiting room‐temperature phosphorescence (RTP) have attracted extensive attention due to their easy processability simple synthesis and low cytotoxicity. However, their RTP performance is severely quenched in aqueous environments by water molecules and dissolved oxygen, posing a major obstacle to practical applications. Matrix engineering has emerged as a key strategy to achieve aqueous‐stable RTP in CPDs. This review systematically outlines how rationally designed matrices (inorganic and organic substances) provide spatial confinement and bonding interactions to stabilize triplet excitons in water. We discuss the underlying photophysical mechanisms, summarize advances in matrix engineering, and demonstrate representative applications in information encryption, aqueous‐phase sensing, and bioimaging.