Bright and biocompatible AIE polymeric nanoparticles prepared from miniemulsion for fluorescence cell imaging

Abstract

AIE polymeric nanoparticles with bright fluorescence, high quantum yield, low cytotoxicity, and efficient cellular uptake were prepared by miniemulsion polymerization.

Abstract

Aggregation-induced emission (AIE) polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) with a size of several tens of nanometers were successfully prepared by miniemulsion copolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) with an AIE monomer, 1-allyl-1-methyl-2,3,4,5-tetraphenylsilole (AMTPS). The prepared AIE poly(MMA- co-AMTPS) NPs exhibited strong photoluminescence with high quantum yields. Promisingly, the brightness of AIE poly(MMA- co-AMTPS) NPs, which increased linearly with an increase in AMTPS content, could be accurately modulated via the AMTPS content in the range of 0–20 wt%. In vitro cell experiments indicated that the AIE poly(MMA- co-AMTPS) NPs were promising cell staining reagents with good biocompatibility and high photostability.