Circularly polarized
luminescence (CPL) is typically achieved with
a chiral luminophore. However, using a helical nanosized fused quartz
cell consisting of chiral silica, we could control the wavelength
and helical sense of the CPL of an achiral luminophore. Chiral silica
with a helical nanostructure was prepared by calcining a mixture of
polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS)-functionalized isotactic
poly(methacrylate) (it-PMAPOSS) and a small amount
of chiral dopant. The chiral silica encapsulated functional molecules,
including luminophores, along the helical nanocavity, leading to induced
circular dichroism (ICD) and induced circularly polarized luminescence
(iCPL). Because chiral silica can act as a helical nanosized fused
quartz cell, it can encapsulate not only the luminophore but also
solvent molecules. By changing the solvent in the luminophore-containing
nanosized fused quartz cell, the wavelength of the CPL was controlled.
This method provides an effective strategy for designing novel CPL-active
materials.