title: Aggregation-induced emission: phenomenon, mechanism and applications.
abstract: It is textbook knowledge that chromophore aggregation generally quenches light emission. In this feature article, we give an account on how we observed an opposite phenomenon termed aggregation-induced emission (AIE) and identified the restriction of intramolecular rotation as a main cause for the AIE effect. Based on the mechanistic understanding, we developed a series of new fluorescent and phosphorescent AIE systems with emission colours covering the entire visible spectral region and luminescence quantum yields up to unity. We explored high-tech applications of the AIE luminogens as, for example, fluorescence sensors (for explosive, ion, pH, temperature, viscosity, pressure, etc.), biological probes (for protein, DNA, RNA, sugar, phospholipid, etc.), immunoassay markers, PAGE visualization agents, polarized light emitters, monitors for layer-by-layer assembly, reporters for micelle formation, multistimuli-responsive nanomaterials, and active layers in the fabrication of organic light-emitting diodes.
authors: Department of Chemistry, Nano Science and Technology Program, Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
authors: Yuning
authors: Y
authors: Hong
authors: Jacky W Y
authors: JW
authors: Lam
authors: Ben Zhong
authors: BZ
authors: Tang
mesh_terms: D000480:Alkynes / Q000737:chemistry*; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000737:chemistry*; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000737:chemistry; D017655:Silicon Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D012996:Solutions / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: C529072:1,2,3,4,5-hexaphenylsilole; D000480:Alkynes; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D017655:Silicon Compounds; D012996:Solutions