Insights into Self-Assembly of Nonplanar Molecules with Aggregation-Induced Emission Characteristics

Abstract

Utilizing nonplanar conjugated molecules as building blocks facilitates the development of self-assembly but is fundamentally challenging. To study the self-assembly behavior, we herein demonstrate the self-assembly process of a nonplanar conjugated molecule with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) feature from an isolated molecule to an irregular cluster to a well-defined vesicle driven by amphiphiles. The superhigh aggregation-sensitive emission affords more precise and detailed information about the self-assembly process than traditional dyes. Meanwhile, the arrangements of the AIE-active molecule change from disordered to well-organized forms by reducing the twisted configuration during the transformation process, and the strong hydrophobicity of amphiphiles is crucial for such configuration and morphology transformations. Owing to the thermophilic bacteria-mimetic membranes, the obtained vesicles exhibit a property of superhigh thermal stability. They also display promising light-harvesting applications. This work not only deciphers the self-assembly of AIE molecules but also provides a strategy for nonplanar molecules to build well-organized self-assemblies.

Self‐reporting fluorescence deciphers the antibacterial nature of cationic amphiphiles: Monomer or aggregate?

“…The crystalline aggregates of three amphiphiles show an obvious discrepancy in their emission intensity and wavelength, suggesting the diverse arrangement tightness and configuration of TPE core within their aggregates. [ 40 ] As shown in Figure 2I, an emission peak centered at 457 nm was observed for TO2C aggregates, whereas a strong and a large red‐shifted emission peak at about 484 nm for TO6C aggregates, and a weaker emission centered at about 470 nm for T2OE aggregates. The difference in emission intensity of aggregates formed under the same concentration indicates the arrangement tightness of three amphiphiles inside decreases in the order of TO6C > TO2C > T2OE.…”

“…Therefore, three amphiphiles adjust themselves to take a different twisted conformation to fit into their surrounding environment, giving rise to diverse emission wavelength in their respective monomeric and aggregated states. [36,40,42]…”

Synthesis of Self-Supporting Gold Microplates on Soft Substrates through Infiltration Growth Mechanism

“…This excitation can induce a range of vibrational modes from membrane fluctuations in the MHz frequency regime to thickness vibrations in the GHz frequency regime. 40,41 Femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy is a widely used technique for investigating high-frequency acoustic vibrations in metal nanoparticles. 42−44 Typically, metal nanoparticles are supported by a substrate for spectroscopy measurements.…”

Donor–Acceptor Assembly of Amphiphilic Molecules Based on 9,10-Distyrylanthracene Derivatives with Terminal Naphthalene Groups

“…During the transformation process, AIE active molecules are arranged from disordered to ordered aggregates by noncovalent driving forces in polar solution, proving that the strong hydrophobicity of amphiphilic compounds plays a crucial role in conformational and morphological changes. 16 Guo et al reported a novel strategy for constructing polyelectrolyte assemblies based on AIE dyes, which exhibit excellent photothermal conversion efficiency in aqueous solution. 17 DSA, as a typical AIE structure, is favored by researchers due to its simple structure and ease of synthesis.…”