The synthesis and processing of nanoparticles consisting of metallic nanocrystal cores and organic monolayer shells promise interesting technological applications. Here, we report the synthesis of gold nanoparticles modified with ionic liquids based on the imidazolium cation. Aggregation-induced color changes of the gold nanoparticles in an aqueous solution were used as an optical sensor for anions via anion exchange of ionic liquid moiety. We also demonstrated the phase transfer of the gold nanoparticles from aqueous media to ionic liquid.

Polysilsesquioxanes are regarded as organic-inorganic hybrid materials at a molecular level. We can readily tune the properties of the materials for realizing the desired ones by changing the contents or types of organic components. In addition, the hierarchical structures have potential for generating further characteristics distinctly different from those of the constituents. From this viewpoint, polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) is attractive as a cornerstone in highly ordered materials. In this review, we survey recent studies on modified POSS-based functional materials and particularly explain the design concepts for applying the significant characteristics of POSS for the material properties. In the initial sections, we introduce the examples concerning intrinsic properties of POSS such as thermal stability, mechanical property, and structural features. In the latter sections, we describe the application of POSS-based materials for bio-relating functional materials. We describe the validity of POSS for molecular designing of the advanced imaging tools.

The emission process of the o-carborane dyad with anthracene originating from the twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) state in the crystalline state is described. The anthracene-o-carborane dyad was synthesized and its optical properties were investigated. Initially, the dyad had aggregation- and crystallization-induced emission enhancement (AIEE and CIEE) properties via the intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) state. Interestingly, the dyad presented the dual-emissions assigned to both locally excited (LE) and ICT states in solution. From the mechanistic studies and computer calculations, it was indicated that the emission band from the ICT should be attributable to the TICT emission. Surprisingly, even in the crystalline state, the TICT emission was observed. It was proposed from that the compact sphere shape of o-carborane would allow for rotation even in the condensed state.