An unexpected solvent effect on the self-assembly of a 1,7-bis-pyridinoyl perylene diimide amphiphile

In this paper, we report that a 1,7-bis-pyridinoyl perylene diimide amphiphile undergoes distinctly different self-assembly in methanol compared to ethanol. This amphiphile forms hollow nanospheres in methanol, whereas in ethanol, it self-assembles into microrose flowers which consist of several soft nanoplates packing like rose petals. Studies of the concentration-dependent absorption spectra confirmed this solvent effect. The most distinct spectral features were the A0–0/A0–1 and A0–0/AS0–S2 values. These spectral changes were explained in terms of the Franck–Condon factors.

Graphical abstractIn this paper, we present an unexpected solvent effect between methanol and ethanol on the self-assembly of a 1,7-bis-pyridinoyl perylene diimide amphiphile.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (90 K)Download as PowerPoint slide