Reexamining the heavy-atom-effect: The universal heavy-atom-induced fluorescence enhancement principle for through-space conjugated AIEgens

Classic heavy-atom effect was reexamined from a completely fresh perspective of emerging AIEgens, and a universal heavy-atom-induced fluorescence enhancement principle suited for most AIEgens was proposed, which prompts the redefinition of heavy-atom effect depending on distinct conjugation patterns and also provides an effective strategy to achieve highly efficient AIEgens.