Measuring the intermolecular distance in supramolecular structures in solution is important as well as challenging, especially for distance below 1.0 nm. The fluorescence emission is helpful in indicating intermolecular distances due to its sensitivity to the microenvironment, and the aggregation-induced emission (AIE) luminophores are especially useful against fluorescence quench in assembly and aggregation states. Herein, polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) macroionic hybrids were synthesized with AIE luminophores (Tetraphenylethene, TPE or Tetra(biphenyl-4-yl)ethene, TPPE) chemically incorporated. The charged macromolecules self-assemble into hollow spherical blackberry-type stable supramolecular structures through the regulation of the electrostatic interactions. Macromolecules in the single-layered shell are closer to each other when assembled into spheres of larger size. The fluorescence emission was enhanced when more hybrids were involved in the assembly. The hybrid containing TPPE exhibits emission wavelength shift when macromolecules are closer to each other, due to the restriction of multiple rotatable C-C bonds connecting phenyl rings. Assembly in mixed solvent showed a more significant and tunable emission change in response to different intermolecular distances.

Tunable aggregation-induced emission as an indicator of intermolecular distance in supramolecular assembly

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.