Issue 44, 2013

Defect-sensitive crystals based on diaminomaleonitrile-functionalized Schiff base with aggregation-enhanced emission

Abstract

In this work, we report the synthesis and photophysical studies of a new luminogen, A3MN, a diaminomaleonitrile-functionalized Schiff base. A3MN is aggregation-enhanced emission (AEE)-active: the emission of A3MN is enhanced with the aggregate formation. A3MN also possesses twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) properties, showing noticeable solvatofluorochromism. Interestingly, the crystals of A3MN are nonemissive; the defect areas of the crystal, however, are highly emissive, as confirmed by spectroscopic methods and confocal microscopy. By taking advantage of this defect sensitive feature, a “turn-on” type of mechanofluorochromic material is developed, the emission of which is significantly enhanced under pressure or shear force. The detection limit reaches 0.1 Newton owing to its “turn-on” nature. Such defect-induced emission also renders A3MN sensitive to various kinds of mechanical actions, including hitting, friction, sculpture, and ultrasonic vibration.

Graphical abstract: Defect-sensitive crystals based on diaminomaleonitrile-functionalized Schiff base with aggregation-enhanced emission

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
09 avg 2013
Accepted
20 sep 2013
First published
24 sep 2013

J. Mater. Chem. C, 2013,1, 7314-7320

Defect-sensitive crystals based on diaminomaleonitrile-functionalized Schiff base with aggregation-enhanced emission

T. Han, Y. Hong, N. Xie, S. Chen, N. Zhao, E. Zhao, J. W. Y. Lam, H. H. Y. Sung, Y. Dong, B. Tong and B. Z. Tang, J. Mater. Chem. C, 2013, 1, 7314 DOI: 10.1039/C3TC31562B

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements