Self-assembly tuning of α-cyanostilbene fluorogens: aggregates to nanostructures

Abstract

Two AIE active ?-cyanostilbene fluorophores substituted with octyl and hexadecyl chains were synthesized and examined for their absorption and fluorescence properties. The alkoxy substitution tunes the self-assembly in water and exhibits intensity enhanced bathochromic shift resulting in well-defined ?anospheres with the formation of nice dendrimeric structures. Monte-Carlo simulations validate our experimental observations and show the greater propensity of self-assembly formation for cyanostilbene containing hexadecyl chain compared to derivative containing octyl chain. The results are substantiated by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) studies. Such tunable self-assembled nanostructures seem promising for material and biological applications.