Time-dependent aggregation-induced enhanced emission, absorption spectral broadening, and aggregation morphology of a novel perylene derivative with a large D-π-A structure.

Strong aggregation-caused quenching of perylene diimides (PDI) is changed successfully by simple chemical modification with two quinoline moieties through C=C at the bay positions to obtain aggregation-induced enhanced emission (AIEE) of a perylene derivative (Cya-PDI) with a large π-conjugation system. Cya-PDI is weakly luminescent in the well-dispersed CH(3)CN or THF solutions and exhibits an evident time-dependent AIEE and absorption spectra broadening in the aggregated state. In addition, morphological inspection demonstrates that the morphology of the aggregated form of Cya-PDI molecules changed from plate-shaped to rod-like aggregates under the co-effects of time and water. An edge-to-face arrangement of aggregation was proposed and discussed. The fact that the Cya-PDI aggregates show a broad absorption covering the whole visible-light range and strong intermolecular interaction through π-π stacking in the solid state makes them promising materials for optoelectric applications.