An Aggregation‐Induced‐Emission Platform for Direct Visualization of Interfacial Dynamic Self‐Assembly |
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| Authors: | Junwei Li Yuan Li Dr Carrie Y K Chan Dr Ryan T K Kwok Dr Hongkun Li Pavel Zrazhevskiy Prof Xiaohu Gao Prof Jing Zhi Sun Prof Anjun Qin Prof Ben Zhong Tang |
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| Affiliation: | 1. MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027 (China);2. Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA (USA);3. Physics Department, Wake Forest University, Winston‐Salem, NC 27106 (USA);4. Department of Chemistry, Institute for Advanced Study, Institute of Molecular Functional Materials, and State Key Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, The Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong (China);5. State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640 (China) |
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| Abstract: | An in‐depth understanding of dynamic interfacial self‐assembly processes is essential for a wide range of topics in theoretical physics, materials design, and biomedical research. However, direct monitoring of such processes is hampered by the poor imaging contrast of a thin interfacial layer. We report in situ imaging technology capable of selectively highlighting self‐assembly at the phase boundary in real time by employing the unique photophysical properties of aggregation‐induced emission. Its application to the study of breath‐figure formation, an immensely useful yet poorly understood phenomenon, provided a mechanistic model supported by direct visualization of all main steps and fully corroborated by simulation and theoretical analysis. This platform is expected to advance the understanding of the dynamic phase‐transition phenomena, offer insights into interfacial biological processes, and guide development of novel self‐assembly technologies. |
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| Keywords: | aggregation‐induced emission breath figures fluorescence interfaces tetraphenylethene |
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