Development of colloidally stable carbazole-based fluorescent nanoaggregates

• Published in: Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. A, Chemistry. Vol. 352; pp. 55 - 64
• Main Authors: Svechkarev, Denis, Kyrychenko, Alexander, Payne, William M., Mohs, Aaron M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland Elsevier B.V 01.02.2018; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Aggregates; Alkyl chain; Alkylation; Carbazole; Carbazoles; Colloids; Dyes; Dynamic light scattering; Fluorescence; Fluorescent imaging; MD simulation; Molecular dynamics; Nanomaterials; Nanotechnology; Polydispersity; Self-assembly; Simulation; Stability; MD simulation; Alkyl chain; Dynamic light scattering; Polydispersity; Fluorescent imaging; dynamic light scattering; fluorescent imaging; polydispersity; alkyl chain
• ISSN: 1010-6030; 1873-2666
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotochem.2017.10.042

TOC graphic [Display omitted] •Fluorescent nanoaggregates with improved colloidal stability were obtained.•Alkyl chains contribute to colloidal stability and monodispersity of the aggregates.•DLS and TEM data and MD simulations were used to illustrate aggregation dynamics. Fluorescent nanomaterials require high colloidal stability for effective use in imaging and sensing applications. We herein report the synthesis of carbazole-based organic fluorescent nanoaggregates, and demonstrate the superior colloidal stability of alkyl-substituted dye aggregates over their non-alkylated analogs. The role of alkyl chains in self-assembly and stability of such nanoaggregates is discussed based on both experimental and molecular dynamics simulation data, and spectral characteristics of the precursor dyes and their aggregates are described. The obtained results provide new insights on development of colloidally stable organic fluorescent nanomaterials with low polydispersity.