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Manipulating and visualizing the dynamic aggregation-induced emission within a confined quartz nanopore
Yi-Lun Ying1, Yuan-Jie Li2, Ju Mei2
1Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials & School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, 200237, Shanghai, P. R. China. yilunying@ecust.edu.cn.
Nature Communications
|September 9, 2018
Summary
Researchers developed a method to control aggregation-induced emission (AIE) luminogens using nanopore confinement. This allows for reversible "on-to-off" and "off-to-on" light emission, enabling new applications in sensing and cell delivery.
Area of Science:
- Photophysics
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Aggregation-induced emission (AIE) luminogens (AIEgens) exhibit unique optical properties but lack reversibility after aggregation.
- Existing AIEgens struggle to return to their initial dispersed state, limiting applications in reversible sensing and reproducible devices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To achieve real-time, reversible control over AIEgen emission using nanopore confinement.
- To explore nanopore-size-dependent manipulation of AIEgens for on-off-on emission switching.
- To demonstrate dynamic manipulation of AIEgens for targeted delivery into single cells.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing quartz nanopores to confine AIEgens.
- Employing electrochemical manipulation to control AIEgen movement within nanopores.
- Investigating nanopore-size-dependent restriction of AIEgens.
Main Results:
- Achieved reversible "on-to-off" and "off-to-on" emission switching of AIEgens.
- Demonstrated electrochemical manipulation of AIEgen solution (26 fL) within nanopores.
- Observed AIEgen movement at velocities of 1.4-2.2 μm/s, controlled by electrochemical stimuli.
- Successfully applied dynamic manipulation for targeted AIEgen delivery into single cells.
Conclusions:
- Nanopore confinement enables precise, real-time control over AIEgen emission.
- Electrochemical manipulation within nanopores offers a novel strategy for reversible optical switching.
- This technique opens new avenues for practical AIE applications, including targeted intracellular delivery.
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