title: Ultrasound-induced transformation of fluorescent organic nanoparticles from a molecular rotor into rhomboidal nanocrystals with enhanced emission.
abstract: Fluorescent organic nanoparticles (FONs) based on aggregation-induced emission (AIE) are receiving increasing attention owing to their simple preparation, enhanced optical properties, and a wide range of applications. Therefore, finding simple methods to tune the structural and emissive properties of FONs is highly desirable. In this context, we discuss the preparation of highly emissive, amorphous AIE spherical nanoparticles based on a structurally-simple molecular rotor and their sonochemical transformation into rhomboidal nanocrystals. Interestingly, the ultrasound-induced modification of the morphology is accompanied by a remarkable enhancement in the stability and emission of the resulting nanocrystals. Detailed characterization of both spherical and rhomboidal nanoparticles was carried out by means of several microscopic, crystallographic, and spectroscopic techniques as well as quantum mechanical calculations. In a nutshell, this work provides a unique example of the ultrasound-induced switching of morphology, stability, and emission in FONs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy and Interdisciplinary Center for Molecular Materials (ICMM), Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91058 Erlangen, Germany. dirk.guldi@fau.de.
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koenig
authors.forename: Tomás
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Torres
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Barone
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Brancato
authors.forename: Dirk M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Guldi
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bottari
mesh_terms: D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000737:chemistry*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009570:Nitriles / Q000737:chemistry*; D014465:Ultrasonics
chemical_list: D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D009570:Nitriles; C047080:1,2-benzenedicarbonitrile