Exploring the Aggregation and Light-Harvesting Aptitude of Naphthalimide-Based Amphiphile and Non-amphiphile AIEgen

Herein, we report a comparative study of two naphthalimide-tethered amphiphile and non-amphiphile with their aggregation-induced emission properties. A synthetic modulation of a hydrophobic tail on the framework repressed the ACQ-phoric fluorophore to an AIEgen. L and L remain in the dispersed form in DMF and exhibits aggregation and intense emission signal in aqueous media. Microscopy detailing of the aggregating process has been analyzed. Not only the AIEgens are emissive in water but also they are emissive in the solid state. The natural light-harvesting process is mimicked by the aggregated state, establishing an energy transfer process between L and commercial dye. Disaggregation of the AIEgen has also been utilized in the detection of nitroaromatics. Analytical utility of the AIE-gen is being demonstrated concerning the detection of explosives in aqueous media.