Embedding luminescent iridium complex into polydiacetylene vesicles as a means of development of responsive luminescent system for imaging applications

Abstract

© 2016 Elsevier B.V. Herein we report an investigation of the properties of a composite system composed of luminescent iridium complex ([Ir(ppy)2phen]PF6; 1) and polydiacetylene vesicles (poly-10,12-pentacosadiynoic acid, PCDA, 2). This work was conducted to evaluate the possibility to utilize the beneficial properties of luminescent iridium complexes (long luminescence lifetimes) and polydiacetylene systems (responsive properties) in view of their potential in imaging and sensing applications. The results indicate that the thermochromic properties of the polydiacetylene system are not significantly changed by the incorporation of the iridium complex. Furthermore, the expected ability of the polydiacetylene system to modulate the emission properties of the luminescent iridium complex by its blue to red phase transition has been demonstrated. This observed change is a luminescence turn-on and is accompanied by a marked increase in the luminescence lifetime. The results demonstrate the potential benefits of utilizing polydiacetylene systems in combination with luminescent iridium complexes. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of a composite system made from polydiacetylene vesicles and luminescent iridium complex.