10.1039/b910531j
The study investigates the self-assembly and fluorescence properties of two amphiphilic dye derivatives, 9,10-bis(phenylethynyl)anthracene (PEAnt) derivative 1 and cyano-bis(biphenyl)ethene (CNBE) derivative 2, both having hexaethylene glycol (Hxg) groups as side chains. PEAnt derivative 1 serves as a typical fluorescent dye that experiences quenching upon aggregation, while CNBE derivative 2 exhibits aggregate-induced enhanced emission (AIEE) properties. The researchers explored how these compounds self-assemble in water and how their fluorescence changes with temperature. They found that compound 2 shows significant fluorescence enhancement and a red shift in emission wavelength when aggregated in water, and its AIEE behavior is more sensitive to temperature changes than the exciton interaction, making it a potential probe for detecting microscopic environmental changes.