o-Carborane-based fluorophores as efficient luminescent systems both as solids and as water-dispersible nanoparticles

A set of o-carborane-appended pi-conjugated fluorophores and their light-emitting properties in the solid state are reported. The aggregation-induced emission enhancement (AIEE) exhibited for one of the fluorenyl derivatives paved the way to successfully preparing o-carborane-containing organic nanoparticles (NPs) homogeneously dispersed in aqueous media that maintain their luminescence properties. Notably, NPs processed as thin films also show high fluorescence efficiency, suggesting potential optical and optoelectronic applications.

Automated summary

This study presents a series of pi-conjugated fluorophores appended with o-carborane and investigates their light-emitting properties in the solid state. The AIEE effect observed in one fluorenyl derivative enables the successful preparation of o-carborane-containing organic nanoparticles (NPs) with homogeneous dispersion in aqueous media, while maintaining their luminescence properties. Notably, the thin films of the NPs also exhibit high fluorescence efficiency, indicating potential for optical and optoelectronic applications.