Pyridinium dicyanostilbene-functionalized thiophene

Photo-induced morphology switching

An amphiphilic luminescent molecule that switches between nanofibers and nanosheets under UV light, with accompanying fluorescence color changes.

Wang, Yang · Haibo, Zhong · Juan, Yang · Yao, Yong · Li, Liang

Chinese Chemical Letters 2023

Advantages

Strong fluorescence in DMSO; self-assembles into nanofibers in water with red-shifted, sharply decreased intensity

Z-to-E conversion under 365 nm light; morphology changes from nanofibers to nanosheets

Interaction with WP5 converts nanofibers into fluorescent hollow particles applicable to living cell imaging