Preparation and properties of organo-soluble tetraphenylethylene monolayer-protected gold nanorods.

Organo-soluble tetraphenylethylene derived monolayer-protected gold nanorods were prepared and characterized. The prepared gold nanorods covered with tetraphenylethylene thiol via the strong covalent Au–S linkage were found to be soluble and stable in organic solvents. The successful thiol exchange and modification of tetraphenylethylene derivative molecules on gold nanorods were confirmed from UV–Vis, Raman and FT-IR spectra. The gold nanorods were found to have a quenching effect on the aggregation-induced emission of the tetraphenylethylene thiol molecule modified on their surfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]