Stimuli-Responsive Fluorescence of AIE Elastomer Based on PDMS and Tetraphenylethene

We synthesized a tetravinyl ME luminogen based on tetraphenylethene (TPE-CL), followed by its reaction with H-terminated PDMS via hydrosilylation to construct ME elastomers. NMR and IR spectroscopy studies showed facile progress of the preparative reaction. The obtained sample strips represented typical elastomeric behavior revealed by tensile test, while the mechanical properties were varied by the chain length of employed PDMS. The homogeneous distribution of TPE-CL in an elastomer was confirmed by UV-vis absorption spectra variation upon increase of TPE-CL content. The elastomers exhibited stimuli-sensitive fluorescence against organic solvents and temperature, and the responsiveness was found to be reversible. These characteristics are clearly derived from ATE property of TPE-CL, which is sensitive to intramolecular rotation.