Polymeric nanomaterials with aggregation-induced emission characteristics

Abstract

Polymeric nanomaterials with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) characteristics have attracted significant attention from the scientific community because of their extensive biomedical applications. Nanoparticles prepared from AIE materials possess favorable advantages over fluorescent molecular dyes, including higher photostability, brightness, turn-on emission, easy functionalization, and tunable size/topology. In this review, we systematically summarize the preparation strategies of various polymeric AIE nanomaterials, including the encapsulation method, free-radical copolymerization, controlled radical polymerization, click polymerization, supramolecular assembly, and post-polymerization reactions. Some special polymer topologies, such as star-shaped, crosslinked, and 2D polymers, are discussed in detail. Last but not least, perspectives on AIE polymeric nanomaterials are provided to stimulate future development.