Fluorescent Imaging Probe from Nanoparticle Made of AIE Molecule

Aggregation induced emission (AIE) active molecules are widely used for fluorescence “turn-on” detection applications with the unique advantages over conventional fluorescent probes. Transformation of AIE molecule into functional nanoparticle can greatly expand their biomedical application potential. Here we report an approach for preparation of 20–80 nm size functional nanoparticle made of AIE molecule. The approach involves aggregation of AIE active tetraphenylethene (TPE) molecule in the presence of functional TPE molecule. Following this approach we have synthesized TPE-based nanoparticle functionalized with polyethylene glycol, primary amine, aspartic acid, glucose, and arginine. Compared to reported methods of making AIE-based nanoparticles, presented nanoparticles have distinct advantages that they are composed of AIE molecules only (without any non-AIE molecule/polymer) and wide variety of surface functionalization can be achieved by this approach. Nanoparticles have good colloidal stability with fluorescence quantum yield of 12–15% and fluorescence remains intact in the presence of conventional quenchers. These nanoprobes are used as fluorescent cell labels and can be extended for preparation of AIE molecule-based different nanoprobes.