Design and synthesis of amino-acids derived AIE active systems and their applications

Abstract

Aggregation-induced emission (AIE) materials have garnered significant attention due to their unique photophysical properties and broad potential in sensing and bioimaging. In this study, we report the synthesis of an AIE-active Schiff base, L-ArgPy, obtained via a condensation reaction between L-arginine (L-Arg) and 1- pyrenecarboxaldehyde (1-PyC). The AIE behaviour of L-ArgPy is attributed to a photoinduced electron transfer (PET) mechanism. Morphological analysis performed using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) reveals the formation of well-defined rod-like aggregates in a methanol–water mixture at fw = 90% water fraction. A rod-like structure is formed through liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS), resembling coacervate-like assemblies. The self-assembly is primarily driven by noncovalent interactions, including hydrogen bonding, π–π stacking, and solvent–solute interactions. The unique combination of AIE activity and LLPS-driven morphology makes L-ArgPy a promising candidate for applications in materials science and biomedical fields.