Key Laboratory of Bio-Inspired Smart Interfacial Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, P.R. China
Jian Yu
Key Laboratory of Bio-Inspired Smart Interfacial Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, P.R. China
Anran Li
Key Laboratory of Bio-Inspired Smart Interfacial Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, P.R. China
Dongyu Zhao
Key Laboratory of Bio-Inspired Smart Interfacial Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, P.R. China; Corresponding author
Bin Liu
Key Laboratory of Bio-Inspired Smart Interfacial Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, P.R. China
Lin Guo
Key Laboratory of Bio-Inspired Smart Interfacial Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, P.R. China; Corresponding author
Benzhong Tang
Department of Chemistry, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong; Corresponding author
Summary: Aggregation-induced emission (AIE) system has long been regarded as a promising substitute to overcome the aggregation-caused quenching in traditional luminescent liquid crystals, which could further enhance its efficiency and application. However, due to the intrinsic weak interaction between hybrid components, heterogeneous inorganic materials-induced AIE process was rarely reported. In this study, trace amounts of amorphous Ag2S microrods and an AIE-active liquid crystalline compound tetraphenylethylene-propylbenzene (TPE-PPE) were proposed to construct additional intense interaction to trigger AIE effect. The enhanced concentration of unsaturated Ag ions and excess positive charge on Ag2S surface promote a cation-π interaction with TPE-PPE, leading to a 36-fold increase in fluorescence, which is predominately high in luminescent liquid crystal system. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the AIE process activated by cation-π interaction. This novel approach would provide guidance to fabricate high-luminescence meso phases for future luminescent display device. : Microstructure; Nanoparticles; Optoelectronics Subject Areas: Microstructure, Nanoparticles, Optoelectronics
