AIE-caused luminescence of a thermally-responsive supramolecular organogel

Abstract

A two-stage-assembly of a functional gelator containing Schiff-base and benzimidazole moieties has been synthesized. It shows an excellent thermal-responsive gelation behavior in a mixed solvent of DMSO and ethylene glycol. This L-gel exhibited blue light under ultraviolet based on the AIE (aggregation induced emission) theory. After Cd²⁺ was implanted, this L-gel and Cd²⁺ assembled to form B-gel, which could emit brilliant blue light due to the strong AIEE (aggregation induced emission enhancement) effect depending on the multiple hydrogen-bonding and coordination bonds between the gelator L and Cd²⁺.