Open AccessFlower-like superstructures of AIE-active tetraphenylethylene through solvophobic controlled self-assembly
Author(s) -
Mina Salimimarand,
Duong Duc La,
Mohammad Al Kobaisi,
Sheshanath V. Bhosale
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
scientific reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.24
H-Index - 213
ISSN - 2045-2322
DOI - 10.1038/srep42898
Subject(s) - solvophobic , tetraphenylethylene , alkyl , supramolecular chemistry , crystallization , materials science , amphiphile , nanostructure , chemical engineering , nanotechnology , chemistry , copolymer , organic chemistry , molecule , aggregation induced emission , polymer , optics , fluorescence , physics , engineering , composite material
The development of well-organized structures with high luminescent properties in the solid and aggregated states is of both scientific and technological interest due to their applications in nanotechnology. In this paper we described the synthesis of amphiphilic and dumbbell shaped AIE-active tetraphenylethylene (TPE) derivatives and studied their self-assembly with solvophobic control. Interestingly, both TPE derivatives form a 3D flower-shape supramolecular structure from THF/water solutions at varying water fractions. SEM microscopy was used to visualise step-wise growth of flower-shape assembly. TPE derivatives also show good mechanochromic properties which can be observed in the process of grinding, fuming and heating. These TPE derivative self-assemblies are formed due to two main important properties: (i) the TPE-core along with alkyl chains, optimizing the dispersive interactions within a construct, and (ii) amide-linkage through molecular recognition. We believe such arrangements prevent crystallization and favour the directional growth of flower-shape nanostructures in a 3D fashion.