Cyanostilbene-functionalized dithienylethenes with aggregation -induced emission for photoswitching behavior in multi-media

Photochromic materials that undergo reversibility and nondestructive readout are of imperious demands in optoelectronics and functional biomaterials. The development of these materials showing high performance of photochromism and fluorescent switching in larger polar solvents or solid state still remains huge challenge. In this contribution, we rationally designed and prepared two novel cyanostilbene-functionalized dithienylethenes with aggregation-induced emission, whose chemical structures were well confirmed by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, HRMS (ESI), and XRD. Preliminary evaluation of their photoswitching behavior revealed good photochromism and fluorescent switching behaviors in different solvents, aggregated and solid states. Moreover, the water-soluble nanoparticles were fabricated by using an amphiphilic Pluronic F127 as the encapsulating matrix. Remarkably, excellent photoswitching behavior was also observed in the water-soluble nanosystem. It was interesting that they could be applied in recording and erasing information storage. Accordingly, they may be applied in the field of smart optoelectronics and functional biomaterials as novel multi-media photochromic materials. [Display omitted] •Two novel cyanostilbene-functionalized DTEs with AIE were developed.•They showed efficient photoswitching behavior in various solvents, aggregated and solid states.•Excellent photoswitching behavior was observed in the water-soluble nanosystem.•Various images can be reversibly patterned and erased with masks upon alternating irradiation with UV and red light.