Issue 5, 2017

All-organic luminescent nanodots from corannulene and cyclodextrin nano-assembly: continuous-flow synthesis, non-linear optical properties, and bio-imaging applications

Abstract

Control of structure and function, at the nanometer scale, remains a formidable challenge in the arena of self-assembled soft materials. Here, we report on the design of a small molecule-based two-component assembly system in which the assembly partners can recognize each other through host–guest interactions. One component is hydrophobic and carries a donor–acceptor type of electronic structure. This is realized by employing a bucky-bowl corannulene derivative. The other component is hydrophilic and hollow. This is achieved by using γ-cyclodextrin, the largest and least studied member of the cyclic oligosaccharide family. In a chemically polar aqueous environment, the two partners come together to form an amphiphilic structure that assembles further into nanosized, quasicrystalline, dot-like, non-toxic, all-organic structures showing two-photon activity and bright green luminescence in water upon excitation at 800 nm. The devised synthesis is achieved by a simple mixing process carried out under continuous-flow conditions. Therefore, in a scalable manner, a constant supply of the assembly components results in continuous fabrication of the nanostructures. Non-linear optical activity and biocompatibility aspects suggest utility of the prepared new class of soft organic nano-dots as contrast agents or labeling tags for visualizing biological specimens. This aspect is examined and demonstrated through two-photon fluorescence imaging of cancer cell lines.

Graphical abstract: All-organic luminescent nanodots from corannulene and cyclodextrin nano-assembly: continuous-flow synthesis, non-linear optical properties, and bio-imaging applications

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Research Article
Submitted
11 Feb 2017
Accepted
04 Apr 2017
First published
20 Apr 2017

Mater. Chem. Front., 2017,1, 831-837

All-organic luminescent nanodots from corannulene and cyclodextrin nano-assembly: continuous-flow synthesis, non-linear optical properties, and bio-imaging applications

S. Sreejith, N. V. Menon, Y. Wang, H. Joshi, S. Liu, K. C. Chong, Y. Kang, H. Sun and M. C. Stuparu, Mater. Chem. Front., 2017, 1, 831 DOI: 10.1039/C7QM00063D

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