Issue 102, 2014

Response of strongly fluorescent carbazole-based benzoxazole derivatives to external force and acidic vapors

Abstract

A carbazole-based D–π–A benzoxazole derivative was found to self-assemble into long fibers, and its emission increased because of the presence of J-aggregates. These fibers exhibited a distinctive response to volatile acid vapors. The vapor of strong acids such as hydrochloric acid or trifluoroacetic acid destroyed the molecular packing within the fiber and produced a fluorescent color change. However, the fibers did not react to the vapor of weak acids such as acetic acid (HOAc). In addition, the fibrous film exhibited isothermally reversible piezo-fluorochromism. Its blue fluorescence was converted to blue-green under a mechanical force and was spontaneously restored at room temperature. More importantly, the response of the fibrous film to HOAc vapor could be controlled by a mechanical stimulus. The colorless ground film readily absorbed HOAc vapor and emitted an orange fluorescence. Furthermore, such colored films were not self-healing, but returned to colorless upon heating, with a blue emission. Acetic acid vapor, may thus, selectively act as a stabilizer and developer to retain the information imparted by a mechanical force. These results show that the response of organic nanofibers to stimuli may be adjusted and controlled by a mechanical stimulus, and vice versa.

Graphical abstract: Response of strongly fluorescent carbazole-based benzoxazole derivatives to external force and acidic vapors

Associated articles

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
12 Sep 2014
Accepted
24 Oct 2014
First published
24 Oct 2014

RSC Adv., 2014,4, 58732-58739

Author version available

Response of strongly fluorescent carbazole-based benzoxazole derivatives to external force and acidic vapors

P. Xue, B. Yao, P. Wang, J. Sun, Z. Zhang and R. Lu, RSC Adv., 2014, 4, 58732 DOI: 10.1039/C4RA10330K

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