Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy for deciphering the morphological evolution of supramolecular self-assembly

The properties and functions of non-covalent interaction-driven fluorescent supramolecular self-assembly depend greatly on their evolution dynamics. Electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and confocal laser scanning microscopy have been used to elucidate the formation of molecular self-assembly. However, some pertinent issues, such as the drying or freezing of the sample for electron microscopy, the influence of the interactions between the tip and the sample in atomic force microscopy imaging, and the low spatial resolution of confocal laser scanning microscopy images, often impede the real-time analysis and exploration of the dynamics of molecular self-assembly processes. In this context, fluorescence correlation spectroscopy and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy have recently been explored to unravel the physical picture of the growth dynamics and stimuli-induced morphological transformation of luminescent self-assembled structures. The current highlight article demonstrates the need for fluorescence correlation spectroscopy and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy to acquire precise information on the dynamics and morphological evolution of fluorescent self-assembled architectures using a few remarkable recent studies. In addition to the current status and challenges, the future directions for the further exploration of dynamic self-assembly processes towards developing next-generation functional materials have been delineated.