Donor–acceptor π-conjugated aggregation-induced emission molecules for reversible nanometer-scale data storage

Abstract

Compounds containing electron donating triphenylamine and electron accepting groups like dimesitylboron or trifluoromethylbenzene were synthesized via coupling reactions. The electron donors and acceptors formed at different angles in space and were connected into longer π-conjugated frameworks including a tetraphenylethylene structure. The targeted compounds underwent intramolecular charge transfer effects in solution and aggregation-induced emission in the solid state. Reversible data storage was achieved with a thin film of one of the compounds, which was probed using scanning tunneling microscopy. These results are significant for prospective applications involving optoelectronic devices and data storage.