A green miniemulsion-based synthesis of polymeric aggregation-induced emission nanoparticles†
Abstract
Aggregation-induced emission (AIE) luminogens have attracted extensive attention due to their unique fluorescent properties and wide applications. Herein we report a green miniemulsion-based technique for preparing polymeric AIE nanoparticles (NPs). A vinyl-containing AIE luminogen, 1-allyl-1-methyl-2,3,4,5-tetraphenylsilole (AMTPS), was incorporated into the NPs through copolymerization with a common monomer, styrene. Spherical AIE NPs with a size of 50–60 nm could emit strong green fluorescence under irradiation with UV light. The photoluminescence (PL) intensity of the AIE NPs could be precisely tuned through the variation of the AMTPS content. The chemical composition, molecular weight, and optical properties of the copolymers were systematically investigated. The molecular weight of the copolymer could be modulated by the AMTPS content. The PL intensity of the copolymers could be significantly enhanced by aggregation formation of the copolymers, displaying a typical AIE property.