Morphology‐Dependent Aggregation‐Induced Emission of Janus Emulsion Surfactants

Abstract

We report a novel stimuli-responsive fluorescent material platform that relies on an evocation of aggregationinduced emission (AIE) from tetraphenylethylene (TPE)-based surfactants localized at one hemisphere of biphasic microscale Janus emulsion droplets. Dynamic alterations in the available interfacial area were evoked through surfactantinduced dynamic changes of the internal droplet morphology that can be modulated as a function of the balance of interfacial tensions of the droplet constituent phases. Thus, by analogy with a Langmuir-Blodgett trough that enables selective concentration of surfactants at a liquid-gas inter-face, we demonstrate here a method for controllable modulation of the available interfacial area of surfactantfunctionalized liquid-liquid interfaces. We show that a morphology-dependent alteration of the interfacial area can be used to evoke an optical signal, by selectively assembling synthesized TPE-based surfactants on the respective droplet interfaces. A trigger-induced increase in the concentration of TPE-based surfactants at the liquid-liquid interfaces results in an evocation of aggregation-induced emission (AIE), inducing an up to 3.9-fold increase in the measured emission intensity of the droplets.

Sulphur-atom positional engineering in perylenimide: structure–property relationships and H-aggregation directed type-I photodynamic therapy

“…The degree of order in supramolecular self-assembly was directly correlated with the intensity of their emission in the aggregated state. [41][42][43] In previous literature, it was hypothesized that the decrease in uorescence emission of AIEgenic materials at higher f w was due to the formation of agglomerates resulting from stronger stacking interactions. 44 Furthermore, existing literature extensively supports the essential role of energy-dependent endocytosis in the uptake of micro-sized particles.…”

Morphology‐Directed Light Emission from Fluorescent Janus Colloids for Programmable Chemical‐To‐Optical Signal Transduction

“…[10][11][12][13][14] Using light to store and transmit data is frequently a key approach in simple, low-cost, and highspeed strategies for processing information that can easily be multiplexed. [15][16][17][18][19] New stimuli-responsive colloidal materials that are capable of reversibly modulating their light-attenuating, [20,21] light-collecting, [22][23][24] or fluorescent [25][26][27] behavior and in addition can undergo a trigger-induced switch between different optical states (e.g., translucent or opaque), hold promise to improve and expand the capabilities of current technologies. [28,29] In this context, bi-phasic Janus emulsions have recently emerged as useful optical elements.…”

Innovative Real‐Time Flow Sensor Using Detergent‐Free Complex Emulsions with Dual‐Emissive Semi‐Perfluoroalkyl Substituted Α‐Cyanostilbene

“…Complex emulsions composed of hydrocarbon (H) and fluorocarbon (F) oils [ 5 ] dispersed in water (W) exhibit dynamic internal morphologies, [ 6 ] which show distinct optical [ 7 ] and luminescent properties. [ 8 ] Typically, these complex emulsions have emerged as a promising sensing platform [ 9 ] by altering surfactant composition or effectiveness. [ 10 ] Fluorescence as the signal readout can differentiate H/F/W and F/H/W with high contrast regardless of droplet orientation.…”

“…Swager and coworkers reported morphology‐dependent complex emulsions based on green‐fluorescence protein chromophores sensitive to environmental hydrogen bonding. [ 8 ] Likewise, Zeininger and coworkers reported polymeric surfactants, including tetraphenylethylene dye, and demonstrated enhancing emission of Janus droplets. [ 8 ] Controlling the interfacial area between oil and water is crucial to manipulating emissions.…”

“…[ 8 ] Likewise, Zeininger and coworkers reported polymeric surfactants, including tetraphenylethylene dye, and demonstrated enhancing emission of Janus droplets. [ 8 ] Controlling the interfacial area between oil and water is crucial to manipulating emissions. We envision the interfacial area as an ideal platform for controlling self‐assembly in solution and incorporating sensing elements.…”