Aldehyde end-capped terthiophene with aggregation-induced emission characteristics

From the viewpoint of practical application, organic materials that are emissive in aggregate or solid state have been a hot research topic. This work demonstrates that 2,2′:5′,2″-terthiophene-5-carbaldehyde (TTA) exhibited aggregation-induced emission (AIE) property. The photophysical properties of the aldehyde in THF/H2O mixtures were studied, and the aggregates formed with different water fractions were studied by scanning electron microscopy. Our results indicated that the presence of an electron deficient aldehyde group as the end-capped group should endow TTA with AIE characteristic. Furthermore, ordered nanoscale aggregates of TTA exhibited distinct AIE behavior when assembled in solutions with appropriate water content.

2,2′:5′,2″-Terthiophene-5-carbaldehyde exhibited aggregation-induced emission (AIE) property in THF/H2O mixtures with appropriate water content, which can be attributed to the presence of aldehyde group and formed ordered nanoscale aggregates.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide