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Benzothiazolium-functionalized tetraphenylethene: an AIE luminogen with tunable solid-state emission
Na Zhao1, Zhiyong Yang, Jacky W Y Lam
1Department of Chemistry, Institute for Advanced Study, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, Institute of Molecular Functional Materials and Division of Biomedical Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science & Technology (HKUST), Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
Researchers developed a new luminogen with aggregation-induced emission. Its color can be tuned from yellow/orange to red by altering its crystalline or amorphous state.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Organic Chemistry
- Photophysics
Background:
- Aggregation-induced emission (AIE) is a photoluminescent phenomenon where molecules exhibit enhanced emission in aggregate or solid states.
- Hemicyanine dyes are known for their optical properties, but tuning their solid-state emission remains a challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize a novel hemicyanine luminogen incorporating a benzothiazolium unit and tetraphenylethene.
- To investigate the aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristics of the synthesized compound.
- To explore the possibility of tuning the solid-state emission color through physical processes.
Main Methods:
- Chemical synthesis of the hemicyanine luminogen.
- Characterization of photophysical properties, including fluorescence spectroscopy in solution and solid state.
- Investigation of solid-state emission changes induced by grinding-fuming and grinding-heating treatments.
Main Results:
- A new hemicyanine luminogen with AIE characteristics was successfully synthesized.
- The luminogen displayed crystochromism, with distinct emission colors in crystalline and amorphous states.
- Solid-state emission was reversibly tuned from yellow/orange to red via grinding-fuming or grinding-heating, corresponding to transitions between crystalline and amorphous states.
Conclusions:
- The synthesized hemicyanine luminogen demonstrates tunable solid-state emission through reversible crystalline-amorphous phase transitions.
- This work offers a new strategy for developing smart luminescent materials with controllable optical properties for potential applications in sensors or displays.
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