Cooperatively assembled liquid crystals enable temperature-controlled Förster resonance energy transfer |
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Authors: | Zhen-Qiang Yu Xiaodong Li Wei Wan Xin-Shun Li Kuo Fu Yue Wu Alexander D Q Li |
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Institution: | College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518073 China.; Department of Chemistry, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164 USA, |
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Abstract: | Balancing the rigidity of a π-conjugated structure for strong emission and the flexibility of liquid crystals for self-assembly is the key to realizing highly emissive liquid crystals (HELCs). Here we show that (1) integrating organization-induced emission into dual molecular cooperatively-assembled liquid crystals, (2) amplifying mesogens, and (3) elongating the spacer linking the emitter and the mesogen create advanced materials with desired thermal–optical properties. Impressively, assembling the fluorescent acceptor Nile red into its host donor designed according to the aforementioned strategies results in a temperature-controlled Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) system. Indeed, FRET exhibits strong S-curve dependence as temperature sweeps through the liquid crystal phase transformation. Such thermochromic materials, suitable for dynamic thermo-optical sensing and modulation, are anticipated to unlock new and smart approaches for controlling and directing light in stimuli-responsive devices.A temperature-sensitive Förster resonance energy transfer system was constructed using a highly emissive liquid crystal co-assembled with Nile red, enabling thermo-optical modulation for controlling and directing light in stimuli-responsive devices. |
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