Preparation of AIE Functional Single-Chain Polymer Nanoparticles and Their Application in H2O2 Detection through Intermolecular Heavy-Atom Effect

Single-chain polymer nanoparticles (SCNPs) are soft matter constructed by intrachain crosslinks, with promising prospects in detection and catalysis. Herein, a fluorescent core (SCNPs) with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) is prepared, applying for H2O2 detection through intermolecular heavy-atom effect. In detail, the SCNPs precursors are synthesized by ring-opening copolymerization. Then the SCNPs are prepared by intramolecularly cross-linking via olefin metathesis. Imitating the structure of AIE dots, SCNPs are encapsulated by H2O2-responsive polymers. Probably due to the stable secondary structure of SCNPs, the obtained micelles show stable fluorescence performance. Furthermore, as the heavy-atom, tellurium is introduced into the carriers to construct the heavy-atom effect. In this micelle-based system, the SCNPs act as the fluorescent core, and the stimuli-responsive polymer acts as the carrier and the fluorescent switch. The hydrophilicity of the tellurium-containing segment is affected by the concentration of H2O2, resulting in a change in the distance from the SCNPs, which ultimately leads to a change in the fluorescence intensity. Furthermore, tellurium is particularly sensitive to H2O2, which can detect low concentrations of H2O2. The SCNPs are merged with AIE materials, with the hope of exploring new probe designs.