Fabrication of luminescent patterns using aggregation‐induced emission molecules by an electrolytic micelle disruption approach

Abstract

Abstract Herein, we report an electrochemical strategy that could control the location of aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) molecules on patterned electrodes in a precise and facile way, producing photoluminescent and electrochemiluminescent patterns with a variety of colors. A micelle composed of electroactive surfactants was broken during the electrooxidation process, in which AIE molecules inside these micelles were released on patterned electrodes. These patterned electrodes were pretreated by not only metal, but also multifarious conducting polymers (CPs). An in‐depth investigation clarified a correlation between the variety of CPs used as electrodes and the oxidation rate of the electroactive surfactant due to different catalytic performances of CPs. Furthermore, combined with wireless and gradient features of bipolar electrochemistry, a gradient luminescent pattern was easily achieved. The current studies suggest more abundant luminescent patterns using AIE luminophores can be developed by such an electrochemical method, in both of graphical shapes and emitting colors.

Keywords

• aggregation‐induced emission
• bipolar electrochemistry
• catalysis
• conducting polymers
• electrochemiluminescence
• electrolytic micelle disruption