Using Sugar‐based Additives to Prolong the Lifetime of Air‐Stable Radicals in Self‐Assembled Perylene Bisimides

Abstract Sugar‐based additives were introduced into self‐assembled worm‐like micelles of amino acid functionalized perylene bisimides. The solutions were then dried to form thin films and used as photoresponsive materials. The effects of the addition of dextran and sucrose on the properties of the perylene bisimide thin film were investigated using cross‐polarized light optical microscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, rheology, UV‐vis absorption spectroscopy and electrochemistry. The radical anion is stabilized by the presence of the additives in solution and in the thin films, resulting in a significantly increased lifetimes and persistent conductivity.