An aggregation induced emission dye (RNH2) with two amino end-groups was facilely incorporated into stable cross-linked fluorescent organic nanoparticles via room temperature anhydride ring-opening polymerization and consecutive cross-linking with polyethylene polyamine. Thus obtained RO-OA-PEPA FONs were characterized by a series of techniques including (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV-vis absorption spectrum, fluorescent spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Biocompatibility evaluation and cell uptake behavior of RO-OA-PEPA FONs were further investigated to explore their potential biomedical application. We demonstrated that such FONs showed high-water dispersibility, strong red fluorescence, stable uniform morphology (100-200 nm) and excellent biocompatibility, making them promising for cell imaging application.
Keywords: Aggregation-induced emission; Anhydride ring-opening polymerization; Cell imaging; Cross-linked fluorescent organic nanoparticles; Polyethylene polyamine.
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