Work

A comparative study of aggregation-induced emission in ethynyl-bridged and non-bridged AIEgens derived from tetraphenylethene and naphthalimide

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Designing efficient organic luminophores with strong emission in the aggregated state remains a challenge due to the common problem of aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ). In this study, we present a comparative analysis of two naphthalimide and triphenylethylene (TPE) derivatives, one featuring an ethynyl (-C C-) linker between the two (N1N2) and the other directly coupled (NTPE). The introduction of a rigid ethynyl spacer was aimed at minimizing non-radiative decay through restricted intramolecular motions and at suppressing π–π stacking, thereby promoting aggregation-induced emission (AIE) behavior. The AIE characteristics of synthesized scaffolds were confirmed by increased emission intensity and quantum yield in DMSO–water, THF–water mixtures, with aggregation further supported by dynamic light scattering (DLS), HRTEM, and crystal packing data. With rising water content, both particle size and quantum yield also improved, signifying the interrelation between aggregation and emission enhancement. This work emphasizes the role of linker engineering in tuning AIE properties and provides useful insights into how structural variations influence aggregation behaviour and emission efficiency in AIE-active fluorophores .

Source: Dyes and Pigments

DOI: 10.1016/j.dyepig.2025.113208

Authors: Kirandeep Kaur, Tumpa Gorai, B. Sridhar, Surya Prakash Singh

Institutions: Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research

Language: English

Topic: Luminescence and Fluorescent Materials

Subfield: Materials Chemistry

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,590

Funders: Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, India, Science and Engineering Research Board