A thermochromic supramolecular self-assembly, composed of a bipyridium-derived electron acceptor and an amphiphilic naphthalene-derived electron donor, was designed, synthesized, and investigated. The supramolecular complex forms highly crystalline fibers and gelate at room temperature. The length of the fiber is around 20um with its diameter below 1um, determined by transmission electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The formation of this self-assembly was found to be an isodesmic process. A series of thermodynamic parameters of this isodesmic process were also drawn from the model. Films and foams of the self-assembly were fabricated by spin-coating or freeze-drying. A reversible red-yellow transition at the temperature near 80°C was discovered. By employing variable temperature powder X-ray diffraction, we demonstrated that the thermochromism was resulted from the change of crystal lattice structure in the donor-acceptor complex. Owing to its reversible thermochromism and versatile processability, this type of dynamic self-assembly will lead to promising applications as temperature sensors.

Thermochromic supramolecular self-assemblies

251st National Meeting (2016)

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