One-dimensional self-assembly of a water soluble perylene diimide molecule by pH triggered hydrogelation

A water soluble perylene diimide molecule has been fabricated into nanofibers via a pH triggered hydrogelation route. The one-dimensional self-assembly is dominated by the intermolecular pi-pi stacking interactions in concert with the hydrogen bonding between the carboxylic acid side chains. The anisotropic electronic and optical properties observed for the nanofibers are consistent with the one-dimensional intermolecular pi-pi arrangement.