Mechanoresponsive Material of AIE-Active 1,4-Dihydropyrrolo[3,2-b]pyrrole Luminophores Bearing Tetraphenylethylene Group with Rewritable Data Storage

A new tetraphenylethylene (TPE) functionalized 1,4-dihydropyrrolo[3,2-b]pyrrole derivative (APPTPECN) was synthesized with obvious aggregation-induced emission (AIE) active by simple synthetic method. APPTPECN exhibited reversible mechanofluorochromic (MFC) behavior. The powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) investigations exhibited that the MFC nature is originated through a conversion from the microcrystalline to amorphous phase under the stimulus of external force. The results obtained would be of major help in understanding the MFC mechanism and designing new MFC materials. Compound APPTPECN has the potential possibility to employ in rewritable data storage and is of assistance in the rational design of smart luminescent materials.


Introduction
Fluorescent mechanofluorochromic (MFC) is a phenomenon where solid and liquid crystalline materials change their photoluminescence properties upon applying mechanical stimulation, such as grinding, ball-milling, and crushing [1][2][3][4][5][6][7].Fluorescence emission and color change could often recover by another stimulation or more, such as heating, organic solvent vapor, and light [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16].Mechanofluorochromic materials as a kind of "smart material" have its potential applications in mechanosensors, fluorescence switches, and data storage so on [17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26].Recently, rationally controlling the design of molecular mechanofluorochromic behavior is still a huge challenging, two main problems restrict the development of this kind of materials: the lack of deep understanding for the structure-property relationship of such materials and the fluorescent quenching effect in the solid state [27][28][29][30][31].It is exciting that a major breakthrough came from an unusual aggregation-induced emission (AIE) phenomenon in the study of 1-methyl-1,2,3,4,5-pentaphenylsilole [32].Since then, AIE concept has been extensively used to design efficient solid-state fluorescent materials and MFC materials because of highly twisted backbone structures bearing rotatable units [33][34][35].Also, the twisted molecular conformations which not only enable them to emit strong fluorescence in the aggregated state by weakening intermolecular close stacking and intense π-π interactions, but also easily lead to the formation of MFC properties by changing the molecular packing modes upon pressure [36][37][38].Herein, the synthesis of novel effective solid-state luminogens is still a hot topic for the researchers.
Based on the above considerations, we present a simple method to discover MFC compound of novel 1,4-dihydropyrrolo [3,2-b]pyrroles derivative containing TPE unit.We have been trying our best knowledge to grow crystal to explain the phenomenon why the material fluorescence enhanced after grinding, unfortunately, we still unable to successfully cultivate crystal.APPTPECN showed strong AIE property.Also, the obtained APPTPECN exhibited reversible MFC behaviors.It was shown that interconversion between the microcrystalline and amorphous phase, and the MFC mechanism was proved by PXRD and SEM.

Synthesis of the APPCN and APPTPECN
The synthesis of APPCN was carried out using one-step method and compound APPTPECN was synthesized using a classical Knoevenagel condensation reaction.The chemical structures and synthetic route of the compounds are shown in Scheme 1.The detailed procedure is listed as follows.
MFC properties by changing the molecular packing modes upon pressure [36][37][38].Herein, the synthesis of novel effective solid-state luminogens is still a hot topic for the researchers.
Based on the above considerations, we present a simple method to discover MFC compound of novel 1,4-dihydropyrrolo [3,2-b]pyrroles derivative containing TPE unit.We have been trying our best knowledge to grow crystal to explain the phenomenon why the material fluorescence enhanced after grinding, unfortunately, we still unable to successfully cultivate crystal.APPTPECN showed strong AIE property.Also, the obtained APPTPECN exhibited reversible MFC behaviors.It was shown that interconversion between the microcrystalline and amorphous phase, and the MFC mechanism was proved by PXRD and SEM.

Synthesis of the APPCN and APPTPECN
The synthesis of APPCN was carried out using one-step method and compound APPTPECN was synthesized using a classical Knoevenagel condensation reaction.The chemical structures and synthetic route of the compounds are shown in Scheme 1.The detailed procedure is listed as follows.Considering the miscibility of DMF and H2O, for the purpose of checking whether APPTPECN is AIE-active, we used a standard approach to investigate UV-vis absorption and FL spectra.Concentrations of APPTPECN were kept at 1.0 × 10 −5 mol L −1 in DMF and water mixture solution.Considering the miscibility of DMF and H 2 O, for the purpose of checking whether APPTPECN is AIE-active, we used a standard approach to investigate UV-vis absorption and FL spectra.Concentrations of APPTPECN were kept at 1.0 × 10 −5 mol L −1 in DMF and water mixture solution.For UV-vis absorption spectra, obviously, with the increasing water fraction, the solubility of the compound gradually decreased and the molecules gradually shifted from the free state to the aggregation state, forming the molecular aggregated particles.Meanwhile, the level-off tail suggested that the aggregates have been formed in mixtures (Figure 1a).DLS experiment showed the formation of aggregates with average hydrodynamic diameter of 265 nm (polydispersity index = 0.342) (Figure S6).For FL spectra, APPTPECN showed very weak visible light excited by 365 nm UV light in pure DMF because of the intramolecular rotation of tetraphenylethylene core.FL intensity remarkably increases from 30% to 99% water fraction and reaches its peak at 90% (Figure 1b-d).Also, there is a significant red-shift of APPTPECN fluorescence wavelength.The bright yellow-green light emitting of APPTPECN (located at 532 nm) was observed for the aggregates, which was about 30 times higher than that in the pure DMF, likely due to the intramolecular rotation restriction of tetraphenylethene unit [32,50].These results indicated a typical AIE activity that the non-radiative processes were restrained because of the restriction of intramolecular rotation and intramolecular interaction [51][52][53][54].
Molecules 2018, 23, x FOR PEER REVIEW 3 of 10 For UV-vis absorption spectra, obviously, with the increasing water fraction, the solubility of the compound gradually decreased and the molecules gradually shifted from the free state to the aggregation state, forming the molecular aggregated particles.Meanwhile, the level-off tail suggested that the aggregates have been formed in mixtures (Figure 1a).DLS experiment showed the formation of aggregates with average hydrodynamic diameter of 265 nm (polydispersity index = 0.342) (Figure S6).For FL spectra, APPTPECN showed very weak visible light excited by 365 nm UV light in pure DMF because of the intramolecular rotation of tetraphenylethylene core.FL intensity remarkably increases from 30% to 99% water fraction and reaches its peak at 90% (Figure 1b,c,d).Also, there is a significant red-shift of APPTPECN fluorescence wavelength.The bright yellow-green light emitting of APPTPECN (located at 532 nm) was observed for the aggregates, which was about 30 times higher than that in the pure DMF, likely due to the intramolecular rotation restriction of tetraphenylethene unit [32,50].These results indicated a typical AIE activity that the non-radiative processes were restrained because of the restriction of intramolecular rotation and intramolecular interaction [51][52][53][54].FL spectra was utilized to investigate the MFC behavior of APPTPECN in the solid state.As shown in Figure 2a, The pristine solid APPTPECN emitted green fluorescence in 512 nm (ΦF = 14%, τ < 0.1 ns, Figure S5).Interestingly, APPTPECN exhibited an obvious red-shift upon grinding (34 nm) yellow emission (λem = 546 nm, ΦF = 22%) with a long lifetime (τ = 1.15 ns, Figure S7).Higher ΦF values indicated a higher average excited state lifetime compared to the pristine sample.This result is worth noting that only a few materials have been reported to display higher fluorescence quantum yield for the pristine sample than that for the grinding sample in the field of smart materials [55][56][57][58].Additionally, we take insight to determine the self-reversible mechanofluorochromic fluorescence conversion by alternating grinding and EtOH fuming, the fluorescence emission and colour of grinding powder could be nearly converted numerous times between the green and yellow FL spectra was utilized to investigate the MFC behavior of APPTPECN in the solid state.As shown in Figure 2a, The pristine solid APPTPECN emitted green fluorescence in 512 nm (Φ F = 14%, τ < 0.1 ns, Figure S5).Interestingly, APPTPECN exhibited an obvious red-shift upon grinding (34 nm) yellow emission (λem = 546 nm, Φ F = 22%) with a long lifetime (τ = 1.15 ns, Figure S7).Higher Φ F values indicated a higher average excited state lifetime compared to the pristine sample.This result is worth noting that only a few materials have been reported to display higher fluorescence quantum yield for the pristine sample than that for the grinding sample in the field of smart materials [55][56][57][58].Additionally, we take insight to determine the self-reversible mechanofluorochromic fluorescence conversion by alternating grinding and EtOH fuming, the fluorescence emission and colour of grinding powder could be nearly converted numerous times between the green and yellow emissions (Figure 2b).It was possible that an external mechanical force resulted in a change in the molecular morphology, indicative an outstanding reversibility of the MFC process.Owing to the excellent mechanofluorochromic properties of the smart fluorescent materials.We further explore the practical application, a simple and portable ink-free rewritable paper were conducted on Figure 2c, the pristine sample was dissolved in CH 2 Cl 2 (DCM), then a Whatman filter paper was immersed into the solvent for approximately 30 min.Afterwards, Whatman filter paper was taken out and dried at room temperature.Intriguingly, they were very clear and discernible under 365 nm irradiation and filter paper emitted green emission.When the APPTPECN-loaded paper was crushed, the fluorescence emission significantly red-shift.The letter "light" can be erased after the "paper" was exposed to DCM vapor.Furthermore, a Chinese letter "light" was easily written in the Whatman filter paper again.As a result, the material has great potential for application in ink-free rewritable paper.
Molecules 2018, 23, x FOR PEER REVIEW 4 of 10 emissions (Figure 2b).It was possible that an external mechanical force resulted in a change in the molecular morphology, indicative an outstanding reversibility of the MFC process.Owing to the excellent mechanofluorochromic properties of the smart fluorescent materials.We further explore the practical application, a simple and portable ink-free rewritable paper were conducted on Figure 2c, the pristine sample was dissolved in CH2Cl2 (DCM), then a Whatman filter paper was immersed into the solvent for approximately 30 min.Afterwards, Whatman filter paper was taken out and dried at room temperature.Intriguingly, they were very clear and discernible under 365 nm irradiation and filter paper emitted green emission.When the APPTPECN-loaded paper was crushed, the fluorescence emission significantly red-shift.The letter "light" can be erased after the "paper" was exposed to DCM vapor.Furthermore, a Chinese letter "light" was easily written in the Whatman filter paper again.As a result, the material has great potential for application in ink-free rewritable paper.The excellent rewritable paper further promotes us explore the application of rewritable data storage, as shown in Figure 3, compared to green background, the preparation of Whatman filter paper was crushed and appear yellow 'H' letter.Then, a green background is easily also converted into a yellow background with crushing.Next, 'H' and 'Y' letters were written using a specially made 'pen' with DCM vapor as 'ink', which exhibiting green fluorescence emission due to the grinding sample back to the original state after DCM treatment.Last, exposure of the Whatman filter paper to DCM vapor can readily erase the fluorescent letters and return to original green fluorescence background.Herein, compound APPTPECN is employed in rewritable data storage and is of assistance in the rational design of smart luminescent materials.The excellent rewritable paper further promotes us explore the application of rewritable data storage, as shown in Figure 3, compared to green background, the preparation of Whatman filter paper was crushed and appear yellow 'H' letter.Then, a green background is easily also converted into a yellow background with crushing.Next, 'H' and 'Y' letters were written using a specially made 'pen' with DCM vapor as 'ink', which exhibiting green fluorescence emission due to the grinding sample back to the original state after DCM treatment.Last, exposure of the Whatman filter paper to DCM vapor can readily erase the fluorescent letters and return to original green fluorescence background.Herein, compound APPTPECN is employed in rewritable data storage and is of assistance in the rational design of smart luminescent materials.
To further understand and evaluate the origin and MFC properties in the powder state, PXRD was investigated for the sample before and after grinding.As shown in Figure 4, the diffraction curves of the pristine sample revealed many sharp and intense reflections, indicative of the well-ordered crystalline structures.In contrast, after grinding, the diffraction peaks nearly disappeared and only some diffuse, broad and weak band were observed, exhibiting disordered molecular packing or amorphous states.The process implied that grinding led to a microcrystalline to amorphous phase conversion of solids.After exposing the grinding sample to EtOH vapor, the sharp and intense diffraction peaks reappeared.Therefore, it was manifested APPTPECN has the reversible mechanofluorochromic behavior.To further understand and evaluate the origin and MFC properties in the powder state, PXRD was investigated for the sample before and after grinding.As shown in Figure 4, the diffraction curves of the pristine sample revealed many sharp and intense reflections, indicative of the well-ordered crystalline structures.In contrast, after grinding, the diffraction peaks nearly disappeared and only some diffuse, broad and weak band were observed, exhibiting disordered molecular packing or amorphous states.The process implied that grinding led to a microcrystalline to amorphous phase conversion of solids.After exposing the grinding sample to EtOH vapor, the sharp and intense diffraction peaks reappeared.Therefore, it was manifested APPTPECN has the reversible mechanofluorochromic behavior.The aggregation morphology of APPTPECN before and after grinding were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) investigations.As performed in Figure 4, the APPTPECN  To further understand and evaluate the origin and MFC properties in the powder state, PXRD was investigated for the sample before and after grinding.As shown in Figure 4, the diffraction curves of the pristine sample revealed many sharp and intense reflections, indicative of the well-ordered crystalline structures.In contrast, after grinding, the diffraction peaks nearly disappeared and only some diffuse, broad and weak band were observed, exhibiting disordered molecular packing or amorphous states.The process implied that grinding led to a microcrystalline to amorphous phase conversion of solids.After exposing the grinding sample to EtOH vapor, the sharp and intense diffraction peaks reappeared.Therefore, it was manifested APPTPECN has the reversible mechanofluorochromic behavior.The aggregation morphology of APPTPECN before and after grinding were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) investigations.As performed in Figure 4, the APPTPECN exhibited an analogous "magnesium" structure (Figure 5a), whereas the irregular and rough aggregates were observed for the grinding APPTPECN (Figure 5b).When the grinding sample was The aggregation morphology of APPTPECN before and after grinding were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) investigations.As performed in Figure 4, the APPTPECN exhibited an analogous "magnesium" structure (Figure 5a), whereas the irregular and rough aggregates were observed for the grinding APPTPECN (Figure 5b).When the grinding sample was fumed by EtOH, it essentially reverted to its original microcrystalline state (Figure 5c).It is further proved that a microcrystalline to amorphous phase conversion of solid after grinding.fumed by EtOH, it essentially reverted to its original microcrystalline state (Figure 5c).It is further proved that a microcrystalline to amorphous phase conversion of solid after grinding.TG analysis curves revealed that the degradation temperature (Td) of 5% weight loss of APPTPECN before and after grinding are 438 °C, 440 °C, respectively (Figure 6a).This result revealed that APPTPECN has an excellent thermal stability.In addition, DSC thermograms demonstrated that a new exothermic peak at 159 °C was observed for grinding sample.This exothermic peak could be attributed to the cold-crystallization transition of the amorphous APPTPECN caused by mechanical grinding (Figure 6b).Hence, PXRD, SEM and DSC experiments verified that phase transformation between the microcrystalline and amorphous states should be responsible for the MFC behavior.

Measurements and Instrument
All of the chemicals and solvents were purchased from Darui of Shanghai without further purification. 1H NMR (400 and 600 MHz) spectra was registered in a Bruker Avance with CDCl3 as the solvent and tetramethylsilane (TMS) as the internal standard.The UV-vis absorption spectra was measured in a TU-1901 spectrometer (Purkinje General Instrument Co., Ltd.Beijing, China).The fluorescence spectra were recorded on a Hitachi FL-7000 (Shanghai, China).The absolute solid-state fluorescence quantum yield in the solid state was conducted on a HORIBA FluoroMax-4 spectrofluorometer (Irvine, CA, USA) with an integrating sphere.The powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) patterns were performed on an MXP18AHF (Hefei, China).The thermogravimetry (TG) analysis using TGA5500 and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was measured at a heating rate of 10 °C•min −1 under a N2 atmosphere using DSC apparatus (METTLER82le/400 (Zurich, Switzerland)).TG analysis curves revealed that the degradation temperature (Td) of 5% weight loss of APPTPECN before and after grinding are 438 • C, 440 • C, respectively (Figure 6a).This result revealed that APPTPECN has an excellent thermal stability.In addition, DSC thermograms demonstrated that a new exothermic peak at 159 • C was observed for grinding sample.This exothermic peak could be attributed to the cold-crystallization transition of the amorphous APPTPECN caused by mechanical grinding (Figure 6b).Hence, PXRD, SEM and DSC experiments verified that phase transformation between the microcrystalline and amorphous states should be responsible for the MFC behavior.
fumed by EtOH, it essentially reverted to its original microcrystalline state (Figure 5c).It is further proved that a microcrystalline to amorphous phase conversion of solid after grinding.TG analysis curves revealed that the degradation temperature (Td) of 5% weight loss of APPTPECN before and after grinding are 438 °C, 440 °C, respectively (Figure 6a).This result revealed that APPTPECN has an excellent thermal stability.In addition, DSC thermograms demonstrated that a new exothermic peak at 159 °C was observed for grinding sample.This exothermic peak could be attributed to the cold-crystallization transition of the amorphous APPTPECN caused by mechanical grinding (Figure 6b).Hence, PXRD, SEM and DSC experiments verified that phase transformation between the microcrystalline and amorphous states should be responsible for the MFC behavior.

Measurements and Instrument
All of the chemicals and solvents were purchased from Darui of Shanghai without further purification. 1H NMR (400 and 600 MHz) spectra was registered in a Bruker Avance with CDCl3 as the solvent and tetramethylsilane (TMS) as the internal standard.The UV-vis absorption spectra was measured in a TU-1901 spectrometer (Purkinje General Instrument Co., Ltd.Beijing, China).The fluorescence spectra were recorded on a Hitachi FL-7000 (Shanghai, China).The absolute solid-state fluorescence quantum yield in the solid state was conducted on a HORIBA FluoroMax-4 spectrofluorometer (Irvine, CA, USA) with an integrating sphere.The powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) patterns were performed on an MXP18AHF (Hefei, China).The thermogravimetry (TG) analysis using TGA5500 and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was measured at a heating rate of 10 °C•min −1 under a N2 atmosphere using DSC apparatus (METTLER82le/400 (Zurich, Switzerland)).

Measurements and Instrument
All of the chemicals and solvents were purchased from Darui of Shanghai without further purification. 1H NMR (400 and 600 MHz) spectra was registered in a Bruker Avance with CDCl 3 as the solvent and tetramethylsilane (TMS) as the internal standard.The UV-vis absorption spectra was measured in a TU-1901 spectrometer (Purkinje General Instrument Co., Ltd.Beijing, China).The fluorescence spectra were recorded on a Hitachi FL-7000 (Shanghai, China).The absolute solid-state fluorescence quantum yield in the solid state was conducted on a HORIBA FluoroMax-4 spectrofluorometer (Irvine, CA, USA) with an integrating sphere.The powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) patterns were performed on an MXP18AHF (Hefei, China).The thermogravimetry (TG) analysis using TGA5500 and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was measured at a heating rate of 10 • C•min −1 under a N 2 atmosphere using DSC apparatus (METTLER82le/400 (Zurich, Switzerland)).

Figure 1 .
Figure 1.The UV-vis absorption (a) and FL spectra (b) of APPTPECN in DMF/water mixtures with different water volume fractions; the effect of the water volume fraction on the maximum emission intensity (c); optical photographs recorded under 365 nm UV irradiation with various fractions of water (d).

Figure 1 .
Figure 1.The UV-vis absorption (a) and FL spectra (b) of APPTPECN in DMF/water mixtures with different water volume fractions; the effect of the water volume fraction on the maximum emission intensity (c); optical photographs recorded under 365 nm UV irradiation with various fractions of water (d).

Figure 2 .
Figure 2. FL spectra of APPTPECN as pristine, grinding and fuming samples (a); Repeated switching of the solid-state fluorescence of APPTPECN (b) by repeated grinding and fuming cycles; (c) Photos of the luminescence writing/erasing process on the APPTPECN-loaded paper under a 365 nm UV lamp.

Figure 2 .
Figure 2. FL spectra of APPTPECN as pristine, grinding and fuming samples (a); Repeated switching of the solid-state fluorescence of APPTPECN (b) by repeated grinding and fuming cycles; (c) Photos of the luminescence writing/erasing process on the APPTPECN-loaded paper under a 365 nm UV lamp.

Molecules 2018 , 10 Figure 3 .
Figure 3. Photographs of the writing/erasing cycle under UV light lamp.

Figure 3 .
Figure 3. Photographs of the writing/erasing cycle under UV light lamp.

Figure 3 .
Figure 3. Photographs of the writing/erasing cycle under UV light lamp.

Figure 6 .
Figure 6.TGA curves (a) and DSC curves of APPTPECN in different states (b).

Figure 6 .
Figure 6.TGA curves (a) and DSC curves of APPTPECN in different states (b).

Figure 6 .
Figure 6.TGA curves (a) and DSC curves of APPTPECN in different states (b).