Novel Phosphorescent Hydrogels Based on an IrIII Metal Complex

Novel phosphorescent hydrogels have been explored by immobilizing an Ir^III metal complex into the matrices of hydrogels. FTIR spectra demonstrate that the Ir^III–PNaAMPS hydrogel is achieved by irreversible incorporation of positively charged Ir(ppy)₂(dmbpy)]Cl (ppy = 2‐phenylpyrine, dmbpy = 4,4′‐dimethyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine) into negatively charged poly(2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropane sulfonic acid sodium) (PNaAMPS) hydrogel via electrostatic interaction. The photoluminescent spectra indicate that the Ir^III–PNaAMPS hydrogel exhibits stable phosphorescence. In vitro cultivation of human retinal pigment epithelial cells demonstrates the cytocompatibility of the Ir^III–PNaAMPS hydrogel. This work herein represents a facile pathway for fabrication of phosphorescent hydrogels.