DNA liquid crystals with AIE effect toward humidity-indicating biomaterials

In this study, by fabricating DNA doped with tetraphenylethene-containing ammonium surfactant, the resulting solvent-free DNA ionic complex could undergo a humidity-induced phase change that could be well tracked by the fluorescence signal of the surfactant. Taking advantage of the humidity-induced change in fluorescence, the reported ionic DNA complex could accurately indicate the humidity in real time. A DNA-containing material displaying a trackable humidity-induced change in fluorescence could accurately indicate in real time the environmental relative humidity at room temperature in 4 minutes.