Selective binding of sulphated glycosaminoglycans induces self-assembly of naphthalene diimide into fluorescent nanofibers.

ABSTRACT: The self-assembly of π-conjugated chromophores directed by biomolecular recognition offers a smart strategy to create bio-synthetic hybrid nanomaterials with emergent properties. Here, we report a novel amphiphilic, cationic naphthalene diimide (NDI) derivative that undergoes supramolecular polymerization upon interaction with anionic glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). Binding of GAGs like heparin to NDIs leads to their supramolecular polymerization in aqueous media. Interestingly, such binding events result in highly emissive fluorescent nanofibers due to the formation of a static excimer. Spectroscopic and microscopic investigations reveal that polyanionic heparin helps to bring the cationic NDIs into close proximity to promote π-π stacking and that amphiphilic self-assembly is essential for exc

SUBMITTER: Sharma P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12926865 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature