A stimuli responsive two component supramolecular hydrogelator with aggregation-induced emission properties

Abstract

In this contribution we describe a novel hydrogelator based on four guadiniumcarbonylpyrrole units in combination with aggregation-induced emission active aromatic thioethers which undergo self-assembly into fibrills in aqueous media as visible in AFM and TEM measurements. These fibrills are weakly luminescent and unable to induce gelation. Upon addition of malonic acid a cross-linking of the single fibres was detected leading to the formation of a highly emissive stable hydrogel. This gel responds to several external stimuli such as heat, shaking as well as pH changes.