Benchmarking the dynamic luminescent properties and UV stability of B18H22-based materials

The dynamic photoluminescent properties, and potential quenching mechanisms, of anti-B18H22, 4,4’-Br2-anti-B18H20, and 4,4’-I2-anti-B18H20 are investigated in solution and polymer films. UV stability studies of the neat powders show no decomposition occurring after intense 7 day light soaking. In contrast, clusters incorporated into polymer films are found to degrade into smaller borane fragments under the same irradiation conditions. To highlight the utility of these compounds, we leverage their favorable optical properties in a prototype UV imaging setup.