title: Flower-like superstructures of AIE-active tetraphenylethylene through solvophobic controlled self-assembly.
abstract: The development of well-organized structures with high luminescent properties in the solid and aggregated states is of both scientific and technological interest due to their applications in nanotechnology. In this paper we described the synthesis of amphiphilic and dumbbell shaped AIE-active tetraphenylethylene (TPE) derivatives and studied their self-assembly with solvophobic control. Interestingly, both TPE derivatives form a 3D flower-shape supramolecular structure from THF/water solutions at varying water fractions. SEM microscopy was used to visualise step-wise growth of flower-shape assembly. TPE derivatives also show good mechanochromic properties which can be observed in the process of grinding, fuming and heating. These TPE derivative self-assemblies are formed due to two main important properties: (i) the TPE-core along with alkyl chains, optimizing the dispersive interactions within a construct, and (ii) amide-linkage through molecular recognition. We believe such arrangements prevent crystallization and favour the directional growth of flower-shape nanostructures in a 3D fashion.
authors.affiliation: School of Science, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, Vic. 3001, Australia.
authors.forename: Mina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salimimarand
authors.affiliation: School of Science, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, Vic. 3001, Australia.
authors.forename: Duong Duc
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: La
authors.affiliation: School of Science, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, Vic. 3001, Australia.
authors.forename: Mohammad Al
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Kobaisi
authors.affiliation: School of Science, RMIT University, GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, Vic. 3001, Australia.
authors.forename: Sheshanath V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Bhosale