Stimuli-responsive fluorescent nanogel: a nonconventional donor for ratiometric temperature and pH sensing

Abstract

A reactive stimuli responsive fluorescent polyaminoamide nanogel (NANO-PAMAM) is synthesized via an aza-Michael polyaddition reaction in water. In the next stage, doxorubicin (a FRET acceptor) is covalently linked with the nanogel (NANO-PAMAM, a nonconventional FRET donor) to form a ratiometric nanosensor for temperature and pH sensing. MTT assay revealed comparable biocompatibility of the donor nanogels (NANO-PAMAM) and nanosensors (NANO-PAMAM-DOX).