A novel stimuli-responsive fluorescent elastomer based on an AIE mechanism

In this paper, a facile approach for the synthesis of stimuli-responsive fluorescent elastomer was developed. The photoluminescence should partly be attributed to the hampered intramolecular rotation of the aryl rotors of the dye molecules by wrapping and coiling of the flexible polymer chains. In addition, the reversibility of this responsiveness was also confirmed.

A “keto–enol tautomerization”-based response mechanism: a novel approach to stimuli-responsive supramolecular gel

By “keto–enol tautomerization”, gelator G3 can be self-assembled into a stable organogel (OG3) accompanied by strong aggregation induced emission (AIE). OG3 could dual-channel sense S²⁻ with specific selectivity via reversible sol–gel transition and fluorescent changes.

Chain-dependent emission color codes of extended tetraphenylethylene derivatives: discrimination between water and methanol

Despite the identical extended tetraphenylethylene chromophore, the degree of solubility between the peripheral chains and the solvent guides the aggregate morphology. The distinct emission color codes of the two luminogens can distinguish between water and methanol.

Effect of alkyl groups on emission properties of aggregation induced emission active N-alkyl arylaminomaleimide dyes

Aggregation induced emission (AIE) active N-alkyl aminomaleimide dyes with various kinds of N-alkyl groups were synthesized in a one pot process.

Sub-20 nm nontoxic aggregation-induced emission micellar fluorescent light-up probe for highly specific and sensitive mitochondrial imaging of hydrogen sulfide

A salicylaldazine-based amphiphilic polymer (AIE-1) with aggregation-induced emission characteristics was utilized for the specific and sensitive detection of S²⁻ in solution and mitochondrial imaging of H₂S in HeLa cells.

Construction of regio- and stereoregular poly(enaminone)s by multicomponent tandem polymerizations of diynes, diaroyl chloride and primary amines

An atom-economical multicomponent tandem polymerization was developed to afford multifunctional regio- and stereoregular conjugated poly(enaminone)s.

Synthesis, postmodification and fluorescence properties of reduction-cleavable core-couplable miktoarm stars with a branched core

Postmodification of (PEG)_m(PCL)_n miktoarm stars with a dual-reactive branched core allowed the introduction of versatile functionalities, and the coumarin-functionalized star exhibited tunable fluorescence properties sensitive to solvent polarity and reduction stimulus.

Synthesis and color tuning of boron diiminate conjugated polymers with aggregation-induced scintillation properties

We report film-type scintillators based on conjugated polymers with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties and the modulation of their scintillation abilities by chemical modification.

Multi-stable fluorescent silica nanoparticles obtained from in situ doping with aggregation-induced emission molecules

Rigid structures provided by silica matrix restrict the intramolecular rotations of AIE molecules, and fluorescence of CWQ-11@SiO₂ nanoparticles maintains excellent pH-, viscosity- and photo-stability, especially stable in simulated gastric fluid.

Dendritic AIE-active luminogens with a POSS core: synthesis, characterization, and application as chemosensors

Two nano-hybrid dendrimers were synthesized by grafting tetraphenylethene units onto a POSS core, and were used as chemosensors for picric acid and Ru³⁺ ions.

Film-type chemosensors based on boron diiminate polymers having oxidation-induced emission properties

We present here the film-type chemosensors based on stimuli-responsive emissive polymers composed of boron diiminate. Hydrogen peroxide can be monitored by the emission enhancement.

Polymer composites with high haze and high transmittance

Novel light scattering polymer composites with high transmittance and high haze have been developed by using cross-linked copolymer (CM-SMC) microspheres as light scattering fillers.

A sky-blue fluorescent small molecule for non-doped OLED using solution-processing

A sky-blue fluorescent small molecule was employed to fabricate the non-doped emissive layer of solution-processed OLED.

A fluorescent supramolecular polymer with aggregation induced emission (AIE) properties formed by crown ether-based host–guest interactions

A fluorescent supramolecular polymer with aggregation induced emission properties was constructed and applied in the detection of Pd²⁺ ions.

Di(naphthalen-2-yl)-1,2-diphenylethene-based conjugated polymers: aggregation-enhanced emission and explosive detection

Conjugated polymers with rotatable naphthalen-2-yl pendants show aggregation-enhanced emission characteristics and explosive detection potential.

A highly sensitive fluorescent light-up probe for real-time detection of the endogenous protein target and its antagonism in live cells

A target-specific switchable fluorescent probe for cellular Mdm2 protein detection (off–on) and drug discovery applications (on–off) targeting the p53 pathway.

Intriguing emission properties of triphenylamine–carborane systems

Triphenylamine–carborane systems show three kinds of intriguing emissions that originate from the local excited (LE) state, the twisted intramolecular charge-transfer (TICT) state, and the aggregation-induced emission (AIE) state.

Carbazole-based gold(i) complexes with alkyl chains of different lengths: tunable solid-state fluorescence, aggregation-induced emission (AIE), and reversible mechanochromism characteristics

Seven gold(i) complexes with alkyl chains of different lengths were synthesized, these luminogens exhibited AIE and mechanochromism characteristics.

Luminescent polymers and blends with hydrogen bond interactions

Intermolecular hydrogen bonds are effective forces in hampering molecular rotation and in enhancing emission of luminogenic polymers and blends with aggregation-induced emission property.

Influence of the number and substitution position of phenyl groups on the aggregation-enhanced emission of benzene-cored luminogens

The influence of the number and substitution position of phenyl groups on the emission of benzene-cored AIEgens is unambiguously revealed.

AIEE phenomenon: tetraaryl vs. triaryl pyrazoles

A library of tetraaryl pyrazole derivatives were synthesized and the AIEE phenomenon was explored.

Hierarchical supramolecules and organization using boronic acid building blocks

Current progress on hierarchical supramolecules using boronic acids has been highlighted in this feature article. The feasibility of the structure-directing ability is fully discussed from the standpoint of the generation of new smart materials.

Crystallization-induced red emission of a facilely synthesized biodegradable indigo derivative

A new crystallization-induced red-emitting luminogen based on a biodegradable indigo derivative forms well-defined microcrystals in tetrahydrofuran–water mixtures upon ultrasonication.

Fluorescent polymeric nanoparticles with ultra-low CMC for cell imaging

Fluorescent polymeric nanoparticles (FPNs) with ultra-low critical micelle concentration were facilely fabricated through radical polymerization and ring-opening crosslinking, and utilized for cell imaging.

Aggregation-induced circularly polarized luminescence of an (R)-binaphthyl-based AIE-active chiral conjugated polymer with self-assembled helical nanofibers

An AIE-active chiral conjugated polymer P-1 exhibited aggregation-induced circularly polarized luminescence. The TEM and AFM images show that P-1 self-assembled into helical nanofibers during aggregation.

One-pot synthesis and biological imaging application of an amphiphilic fluorescent copolymer via a combination of RAFT polymerization and Schiff base reaction

A novel one-pot strategy for the fabrication of AIE-based FONs was developed via a combination of RAFT polymerization and Schiff base reaction for the first time.

Multifunctional Zn(ii)/Cd(ii) metal complexes for tunable luminescence properties and highly efficient dye-sensitized solar cells

Complexes Zn1 and Cd1 exhibit tunable luminescence properties and they can serve as co-sensitizers to enhance the power-conversion efficiency.

Thermo-responsive white-light emission based on tetraphenylethylene- and rhodamine B-containing boronate nanoparticles

White-light emissive boronate nanoparticles have been prepared, which exhibit reversible and thermo-responsive emission in the investigated temperature range (5–65 °C) with a temperature sensitivity of 1.1% K⁻¹ in water.

Phosphorescence within benzotellurophenes and color tunable tellurophenes under ambient conditions

The zirconium-mediated syntheses of pinacolboronate (BPin) appended benzo[b]tellurophenes and two phenyl/BPin substituted tellurophene isomers with different colors of emission have been achieved.

Novel helical assembly of a Pt(ii) phenylbipyridine complex directed by metal–metal interaction and aggregation-induced circularly polarized emission

Pt(ii) complexes possessing phenylisoxazole moieties self-assembled to form helical stacked aggregates which display aggregation-induced circularly polarized luminescence.

Hydrogen-bond assisted, aggregation-induced emission of digitonin

Weakly luminescent glycoside digitonin luminesces strongly after treatment with strong base. This is attributed to the hydrogen bonding interaction between deprotonated digitonin molecules, which lead to restricted rotation around the single bond.

Thermochromic polyethylene films doped with perylene chromophores: experimental evidence and methods for characterization of their phase behaviour

LLDPE films doped with aggregachromic PE-Pery fluorophores were proposed as a thermochromic system in the 30–70 °C regime.

Dansyl-carbazole AIEE material for selective recognition of thiourea derivatives

New dansyl-carbazole based compound 3 is designed and synthesized, which exhibits aggregation induced emission enhancement (AIEE) behaviour in H₂O : THF (60 : 40, v/v). Aggregates of compound 3 in H₂O : THF (60 : 40, v/v) selectively recognize thiourea motifs over urea motifs.

Mechanochromic luminescence and aggregation induced emission for a metal-free β-diketone

Solvatochromism and aggregation-induced emission were investigated for methoxy-substituted dinaphthyl diketone solutions and solid-state properties, including reversible mechanochromic luminescence, were explored for films.

The utilization of post-synthetic modification in opto-electronic polymers: an effective complementary approach but not a competitive one to the traditional direct polymerization process

By presenting some typical examples, the recent progress of opto-electronic polymers is reviewed, which were only accessible from the post-synthetic modification strategy.

An aggregation-induced-emission platform for direct visualization of interfacial dynamic self-assembly

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.

Fluorescent organic nanoparticles with enhanced fluorescence by self-aggregation and their application to cellular imaging

We report a simple strategy to prepare organic biocompatible fluorescent nanoparticles with enhanced fluorescence. A significant fluorescence enhancement was realized by designing a fluorescent small molecule, 4,4'-(2,7-bis[4-{1,2,2-triphenylvinyl}phenyl]-9H-fluorene-9,9-diyl)bis(N,N,N-trimethylbutan-1-aminum)bromide (TPEFN), with aggregation-induced emission enhancement (AIEE) effect. Nanoparticles of TPEFN can be formed through molecular self-aggregation by gradually increasing the water fraction in TPEFN mixed solution (methanol/water). Fluorescence enhancement by about 120-fold was observed after nanoparticle formation. By addition of the biomolecule adenosine triphosphate (ATP), larger nanoparticles of TPEFN are formed and further fluorescence enhancement can be achieved, yielding a total fluorescence enhancement of 420-fold compared with the TPEFN molecular solution. Both of these nanoparticles show very good biocompatibility. Ultrabright spots present in the confocal laser scanning microscopy image again proved the formation of nanoparticles. Positively charged side chains of TPEFN endow these nanoparticles cationic surfaces. The size of the prepared TPEFN nanoparticles and their cationic surface allow them to be rapidly internalized into cells. Cell viability assays prove that the TPEFN nanoparticles have high biocompatibility. These organic fluorescent nanoparticles show great promise for applications in cellular imaging or biotechnology.

Aggregation-induced emission: the whole is more brilliant than the parts

"United we stand, divided we fall."--Aesop. Aggregation-induced emission (AIE) refers to a photophysical phenomenon shown by a group of luminogenic materials that are non-emissive when they are dissolved in good solvents as molecules but become highly luminescent when they are clustered in poor solvents or solid state as aggregates. In this Review we summarize the recent progresses made in the area of AIE research. We conduct mechanistic analyses of the AIE processes, unify the restriction of intramolecular motions (RIM) as the main cause for the AIE effects, and derive RIM-based molecular engineering strategies for the design of new AIE luminogens (AIEgens). Typical examples of the newly developed AIEgens and their high-tech applications as optoelectronic materials, chemical sensors and biomedical probes are presented and discussed.

Response of strongly fluorescent carbazole-based benzoxazole derivatives to external force and acidic vapors

The nanofibers have enhanced emission and exhibited an isothermal reversible mechanochromism. Furthermore, acetic acid vapor may selectively act as stabilizer and developer to retain the information imparted by mechanical force.

Ultrasound-induced transformation of fluorescent organic nanoparticles from a molecular rotor into rhomboidal nanocrystals with enhanced emission

The unprecedented ultrasound-induced transformation of fluorescent organic nanoparticles based on a molecular rotor into rhomboidal nanocrystals with enhanced stability and increased emission is presented.

Aggregation-induced emission block copolymers based on ring-opening metathesis polymerization

AIE amphiphilic block copolymers were developed from ROMP for the first time. By self-assembly in selective solvents, water soluble fluorescent nano-objects were prepared with varied structures including micelles and vesicles.