Morphologies and optical properties of nanostructures self-assembled from asymmetrical, amphiphilic perylene derivatives

Two asymmetrical, amphiphilic perylene derivatives, N-Decyl-perylene-3,4:9, 10-tetracaboxylic-3,4-di(methoxyethoxyethyl)ester-9,10-imide (D1E2) and N-(1-Decylundecyl)-perylene-3,4:9,10-tetracaboxylic-3,4-di(methoxyethoxyethyl) ester-9,10-imide (D2E2), have been synthesized and characterized. These compounds contain one long hydrophobic chain on one end and two hydrophilic ethoxy chains on the other end. Self-assembly of these molecules in a variety of solvents has been demonstrated. Scanning electron microscopy images showed that these compounds self-assembled to various nanostructures in different solvents. The most well-defined structure was flexible nanoribbons obtained from D1E2 precipitation in methanol. The UV-vis absorption and fluorescence spectra of these compounds in solution and solid form are also reported. The self-assembled nanostructures have potential applications in optoelectronics.