Smart cellulose‐based room temperature phosphorescent materials: From mechanisms to construction strategies and applications

Room temperature phosphorescent (RTP) molecules, owing to their unique afterglow characteristics, can translate microscopic electronic transitions into macroscopic smart responses, and have gradually emerged as a research hotspot in the field of smart molecules. Benefiting from the renewability, biocompatibility, and structural tunability of cellulose, these materials provide an ideal and sustainable platform for constructing RTP systems. Significant progress has been made in this field, leading to the emergence of numerous cellulose-based RTP material systems with novel structures and excellent performance. This review summarizes recent advances in RTP systems cellulose derivatives. First, it elucidates the underlying mechanisms of cluster-triggered emission, followed by a detailed discussion of four key construction strategies: regulation of aggregation structures, reconstruction of clustered emission centers, hydroxyl functionalization, and host-guest doping. In addition, innovative applications in information security and environmental monitoring are highlighted. Finally, current challenges are discussed, and perspectives on the rational design of future biomass-based RTP materials are provided.