Visualization of supramolecular assembly by aggregation‐induced emission
Wu‐Jie Guo,
Tuokai Peng,
Wenping Zhu,
Shixiang Ma,
Guang Wang,
Ying Li,
Bin Liu,
Hui‐Qing Peng
Affiliations
Wu‐Jie Guo
Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering Beijing University of Chemical Technology Beijing China
Tuokai Peng
Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering Beijing University of Chemical Technology Beijing China
Wenping Zhu
Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering Beijing University of Chemical Technology Beijing China
Shixiang Ma
Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering Beijing University of Chemical Technology Beijing China
Guang Wang
Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering Beijing University of Chemical Technology Beijing China
Ying Li
Innovation Research Center for AIE Pharmaceutical Biology Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target and Clinical Pharmacology The NMPA and State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and The Fifth Affiliated Hospital Guangzhou Medical University Guangzhou China
Bin Liu
Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering Beijing University of Chemical Technology Beijing China
Hui‐Qing Peng
Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering State Key Laboratory of Chemical Resource Engineering Beijing University of Chemical Technology Beijing China
Abstract Supramolecular architectures are constructed by the self‐assembly of small building blocks via the use of metal‐ligand coordination, π–π stacking interactions, hydrogen bonding, host‐guest interactions, and other noncovalent driving forces, which confer unique dynamic reversibility and stimulus responsiveness to the supramolecular materials and also lead to the demand of expensive and complex equipment for the characterization of supramolecular assembly processes. Fortunately, the self‐assembly processes bring the monomeric chromophores together, offering possibilities to establish ties between the supramolecular assembly and aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) techniques. Compared to conventional luminescent molecules, AIE luminogens (AIEgens) exhibit significant fluorescence enhancement upon the restriction of molecular motions, thus displaying the advantages of signal amplification and low background noises. Given the above, the real‐time, sensitive, and in situ visualization of the formation of self‐assemblies and their stimuli responsiveness based on AIE becomes accessible. Here, we review recent works that encompass the visualization of supramolecular assembly‐related behaviors by means of AIE characteristics of chromophores. The organization of this review will be by different types of supramolecular architectures, including metallacycles/cages, micelles/vesicles, supramolecular polymers, and supramolecular gels. An overview of future opportunities and challenges for the real‐time monitoring of supramolecular assembly by AIE is also provided.
