Narcissistic self-sorting of n-acene nano-ribbons yielding energy-transfer and electroluminescence at p-n junctions.

The 2,3-didecyloxy derivative of an n-type anthracene (n-BG) and a p-type tetracene (p-R) have been synthesized and their self-assembly into nano-ribbons studied. Hyperspectral fluorescence imaging revealed their narcissistic self-sorting, leading to separated nanoribbons emitting with very different colors (blue or green for n-BG, depending on the growth solvent, and red for p-R). It is unique that the usual origins of self-sorting, such as specific H-bonding, different growth kinetics, or incompatible steric hindrance can be ruled out. Hence, the narcissistic behaviour is herein proposed to originate from a so-far unconsidered cause: the discrepancy between the quadrupolar character of n-BG and dipolar character of p-R. At the p-n junctions of these nanoribbons, inter-ribbon FRET and electro-luminescence switch-on were observed by fluorescence/luminescence microscopy.

Kinetic selection between organogel fibers and nano-ribbons of 2,3-didecyloxy-9,10-bisphenylethynyl-anthracene.

A novel organogelator, DDPEA (2,3-didecyloxy-9,10-bisphenylethynyl-anthracene), displays a very unusual polymorphism upon self-assembly. The fluorescence resulting from J-aggregates reveals that the readily formed DDPEA gel evolves into another more stable state within four hours. Confocal fluorescence microscopy shows that this kinetic metastable gel-state is constituted of nanofibers, while the thermodynamically stable state is constituted of a dispersion of nano-ribbons or -crystals. Nano-fibers or nano-ribbons can be selected upon trapping the states by drying.

Manipulating the nanostructure of organogels generated from molecules with a 3-dimensional truxene core.

Two new truxene-based 3-dimensional (3-D) molecules self-assembled in cyclohexane to give organogels with vesicular and fibrillar nano-morphologies governed by the substitution pattern of the peripheral alkyl amido side-chains grafted onto the rigid 3-D core.

Facile synthesis of 5,10,15-hexaaryl truxenes: structure and properties.

A new synthesis of 5,10,15-hexaaryltruxene derivatives has been developed. Experimental observations and theoretical calculations confirmed that the presence of aryl substituents on the sp(3)-hybridized bridge carbon atoms had an effect on the photophysical properties of the truxene core. Interestingly, the cage compound 11 possessing a distorted truxene core was verified by X-ray diffraction analysis; the influence of the peripheral aryl substituents on the photophysical properties of the truxene core was diminished because of its molecular rigidity.

White-light-emitting self-assembled nanofibers and their evidence by microspectroscopy of individual objects.

The self-assembly of a blue-emitting light-harvesting organogelator and specifically designed highly fluorescent tetracenes yields nanofibers with tunable emissive properties. In particular, under near-UV excitation, white light emission is achieved in organogels and dry films of nanofibers. Confocal fluorescence microspectroscopy demonstrates that each individual nanofiber emits white light. A kinetic study shows that an energy transfer (ET) occurs between the blue-emitting anthracene derivative and the green- and red-emitting tetracenes, while inter-tetracene ETs also take place. Moreover, microscopy unravels that the nanofibers emit polarized emission in the blue spectral region, while at wavelengths higher than 500 nm the emission is not significantly polarized.