An AIE material with time-dependent luminescence conversion obtained by 2D coordination polymer modification via covalent post-synthetic modification.

In this study, we reported the covalent post-synthetic modification (PSM) of a luminescent complex to achieve aggregation-induced emission (AIE), prepared using the Schiff base reaction of TPE-CHO and HLC-NH2, denoted by HLC-NH2-TPE. HLC-NH2 formed a 2D luminescent complex which was constructed using 4,4'-diamino-[1,1'-biphenyl]-2,2'-dicarboxylic acid and zinc ions via a solvothermal reaction. HLC-NH2-TPE inherited the luminescence properties of HLC-NH2 and exhibited noticeable AIE properties in response to environmental viscosities and temperature changes. Interestingly, HLC-NH2-TPE displayed a time-dependent luminescence conversion phenomenon in a mixed solution of DMF/H2O (v : v/1 : 9).