Published on May 2022 | Spectroscopy

Unexpected Fluorescent Behavior of Maleimide Based Zwitterionic Molecule: Aggregation Induced Emission

A novel traditional fluorophore free bright blue light emitting small organic molecule with aqueous solubility consisting N-substituted maleimide with zwitterionic side chain was explored. The combined experimental and theoretical studies revealed that the fluorescence originated due to the aggregation of N-substituted maleimide molecules named N-(ethyl sulfobetaine) maleimide (M) in solution. It was also observed that the aggregation induced emission (AIE) was originated after certain threshold concentration which was confirmed by both the experiment and the first principal calculations. The aggregation of the M molecule in solution happens predominantly due to nonbonded electrostatic interaction. This finding may add a new dimension to broad sensing application with a feasible molecular strategy.