Aggregation induced colour change for phosphorescent iridium(III) complex-based anionic surfactants.
We describe a new class of water soluble metallosurfactant molecules based on luminescent neutral iridium(III) complexes. The compounds possess an alkyl chain terminated with a negatively charged group, a sulphate. Due to their amphiphilic nature they assemble in aggregates in water and their photophysical properties, as well as the morphological characterization of the assemblies are presented. In particular, UV-Vis absorption, steady-state and time-resolved emission spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscopy techniques have been employed towards the analysis of the assemblies in different media. Comparison with the single components shows that the aggregates have very different photophysical properties. Importantly, the change in colour upon self-assembly is a remarkable feature which could be used for the design of probes which can change properties in different environments.
Westfälische Wilhelms Universität Münster, Physicaliches Institut, Mendelstrasse, 7 and Center for Nanotechnology (CeNTech), Heisenbergstrasse 11, 48149, Münster, Germany.
Matteo
M
Mauro
Gabriele
G
De Paoli
Matthias
M
Otter
Daniela
D
Donghi
Giuseppe
G
D'Alfonso
Luisa
L
De Cola