A fluorescent organic nanotube assembled from novel p-phenylene ethynylene-based dicationic amphiphiles

Langmuir. 2013 Feb 26;29(8):2580-7. doi: 10.1021/la3050829. Epub 2013 Feb 12.

Abstract

Novel π-extended conjugated amphiphiles composed of a hydrophilic section of two quaternary ammonium groups and p-phenylene ethynylene with adjustable alkyl chain hydrophobic section were prepared by a multistep synthesis. These dicationic amphiphiles showed good water solubility and formed a tubular assembly in water. The evidence for the nanotubular comes from direct optical and TEM observations. A strong π-π stacking interaction between neighboring molecules, as evidenced by the red-shift and self-quenching in fluorescence, is proposed for the self-assembly. At the same time, dehydration of the bromide led to strong counterion condensation in headgroups, which resulted in the small curvature structure of the nanotubes. A bilayer lamellar structural model for the organic nanotube is proposed, and a reasonable structural model based on the experimental XRD pattern, as well as cell constants, is proposed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alkynes / chemical synthesis*
  • Alkynes / chemistry
  • Cations / chemical synthesis
  • Cations / chemistry
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Ethers / chemical synthesis*
  • Ethers / chemistry
  • Fluorescent Dyes / chemical synthesis*
  • Fluorescent Dyes / chemistry
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Structure
  • Nanotubes / chemistry*
  • Particle Size
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Alkynes
  • Cations
  • Ethers
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • phenyleneethynylene