Amplifying emission strength via incorporating pyrenes in tetraphenylethene-based AIE-luminogens

A series of chromophores , PyOMe , dPyOMe , and dPyAN , was designed to explore the enhancement of emission properties by incorporating pyrene into tetraphenylethene (TPE)-based aggregation-induced emission (AIE) luminogens. Emission quantum yield (Φ) measurements revealed that in 90 % water fraction H 2 O/THF solutions, PyOMe exhibited a Φ of 0.27, whereas dPyOMe and dPyAN displayed higher values of 0.36 and 0.44, respectively. The introduction of pyrene contributed to enhanced emission intensities by suppressing intramolecular rotations and increasing the radiative transition . Low-temperature studies at 77 K showed significant hypsochromic shifts in emission wavelengths , indicating the difference in molecular interactions between frozen single chromophores and aggregated states. Solid-state fluorescence quantum yields were also evaluated, with dPyAN thin film achieving a Φ of 0.48. The findings suggest that pyrene-functionalized TPE-based luminogens have strong potential for use in optoelectronic devices. • Incorporation of pyrene enhances the AIE property of tetraphenylethene-based fluorophores. • Tunable ICT process enables blue, green, and yellow photoluminescence. • Strong emission brightness preserved in solid thin films.