A morphology and size-dependent ON-OFF switchable NIR-emitting naphthothiazolium cyanine dye: AIE-active CIEE effect

A novel ON-OFF switchable NIR-emitting cyanine dye N3 exhibits striking size-dependent AIE characteristic in DMSO/H2O mixtures and morphology-dependent CIEE properties in solid-state. The fluorescent ON/OFF states can be transformed by simple engineering processes. It has a great potential application for the physical sensor for pressure or temperature and chemosensor for volatile organic compounds.205