Real-Time Fluorescent Monitoring of Kinetically Controlled Supramolecular Self-Assembly of Atom-Precise Cu8 Nanocluster

Kinetically stable and long-lived intermediates are crucial in monitoring the progress and understanding of supramolecular self-assembly of diverse aggregated structures with collective functions. Herein, the complex dynamics of an atomically precise Cu-I nanocluster [Cu-8-((BuC6H4S)-Bu-t)(8)(PPh3)(4)] (Cu8a) is systematically investigated. Remarkably, by monitoring the aggregation-induced emission (AIE) and electron microscopy of the kinetically stable intermediates in real time, the directed sell-assembly (DSA) process of Cu8a is deduced. The polymorphism and different emission properties of Cu NCs aggregates were successfully captured, allowing the structure-optical property relationship to be established. More importantly, the utilization of a mathematical permutation and combination ideology by introducing a heterogeneous luminescent agent of a carbon dot (CD) to Cu8a aggregates enriches the visualization fluorescence window, which offers great potential in real time application for optical sensing of materials.

Automated summary

This study systematically investigates the complex dynamics of a Cu-I nanocluster, Cu8a, and deduces the directed self-assembly process by monitoring the aggregation-induced emission and electron microscopy. The polymorphism and different emission properties of Cu NCs aggregates are successfully captured, and the structure-optical property relationship is established. Furthermore, the introduction of carbon dots as luminescent agents enriches the visualization fluorescence window, offering great potential for real-time optical sensing of materials.