Multicolor Aggregation-Induced Emission Covalent Polymers as the Reference Standard to Read the Molecular Weight of Supramolecular Polymers

Molecular weight directly affects supramolecular polymers' (SPs) properties, thereby further determining their applications. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) as a favored tool is widely utilized to characterize polymer molecular weight at relatively low concentrations. However, this approach is not suitable for SPs that are prone to dissociation at low concentrations. To deal with this problem, we have employed multicolor aggregation-induced emission covalent polymers (CPs) as reference standards to read the molecular weight of SPs. Herein, boron-containing dye (BCD) showing aggregation-induced color-changing emission was incorporated into both SPs and CPs, and with increasing molecular weight, the fluorescence colors changed from green to yellow, orange, and red. Fluorescence colors of BCD hinge on the aggregation degree; thus, the fluorescence consistency signified the identical degree of polymerization exhibited by SPs and CPs. Molecular weight of CPs is obtained via the GPC test, using which the corresponding molecular weight for SPs is determined quantitatively.