Pyrene-Armed Pillararene Nanostructure-Facilitated Enhanced Fluorescence and Self-Driven Gelation

Optimization and manipulation of the fluorescence properties and nanoscale morphologies of π-conjugated organic luminogens are seminal for the fabrication of functional photoluminescent materials. Herein, we report a facile and effective strategy to achieve persistent enhanced luminescence and self-driven gelation via the covalent linking of pyrene and pillar[5]arene (P[5]-Py). Monomer emission of P[5]-Py is primarily promoted in various solvents, attributed to charge transfer from the macrocycle to the pyrene arm, as verified by theoretical calculations. The self-assembly of P[5]-Py results in supramolecular gels with unique “region-dependent” luminescence, simultaneously driven by π–π interactions between pyrene groups and exowall interactions of pyrene and the macrocycle backbone. Significantly, the relationship between the emissive performance and assembly patterns of P[5]-Py was elucidated. This study offers a reliable supramolecular approach to constructing organic photoluminescent materials with optimized emission and adjustable nanostructures.