A fluorescent bistable [2]rotaxane molecular switch on SiO2 nanoparticles

Abstract

A fluorescent bistable [2]rotaxane terminated with an alkyne functional group was constructed and immobilized onto the surface of SiO₂ nanoparticles through click reaction. The shuttling motion of the macrocycle component between two different stations was driven by external acid–base stimuli both in solution and on SiO₂ nanoparticles, accompanied by visual fluorescence changes.