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An Aggregation‐Induced‐Emission Platform for Direct Visualization of Interfacial Dynamic Self‐Assembly
Author(s) -
Li Junwei,
Li Yuan,
Chan Carrie Y. K.,
Kwok Ryan T. K.,
Li Hongkun,
Zrazhevskiy Pavel,
Gao Xiaohu,
Sun Jing Zhi,
Qin Anjun,
Tang Ben Zhong
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
angewandte chemie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1521-3757
pISSN - 0044-8249
DOI - 10.1002/ange.201408757
Subject(s) - nanotechnology , aggregation induced emission , self assembly , visualization , phase change , materials science , computer science , phase (matter) , chemistry , engineering physics , physics , optics , artificial intelligence , organic chemistry , fluorescence
An in‐depth understanding of dynamic interfacial self‐assembly processes is essential for a wide range of topics in theoretical physics, materials design, and biomedical research. However, direct monitoring of such processes is hampered by the poor imaging contrast of a thin interfacial layer. We report in situ imaging technology capable of selectively highlighting self‐assembly at the phase boundary in real time by employing the unique photophysical properties of aggregation‐induced emission. Its application to the study of breath‐figure formation, an immensely useful yet poorly understood phenomenon, provided a mechanistic model supported by direct visualization of all main steps and fully corroborated by simulation and theoretical analysis. This platform is expected to advance the understanding of the dynamic phase‐transition phenomena, offer insights into interfacial biological processes, and guide development of novel self‐assembly technologies.