Multi-C-C/C-N-Coupled Light-Emitting Aliphatic Terpolymers: N-H-Functionalized Fluorophore Monomers and High-Performance Applications

To circumvent costly fluorescent labeling, five nonconventional, multifunctional, intrinsically fluorescent aliphatic terpolymers (1-5) have been synthesized by C-C/C-N-coupled, solution polymerization of two non-emissive monomers with protrusions of fluorophore monomers generated in situ. These scalable terpolymers were suitable for sensing and high-performance exclusion of Cu-II, logic function, and bioimaging. The structures of the terpolymers, in situ attachment of fluorescent monomers, aggregation-induced enhanced emission, bioimaging ability, and super adsorption were investigated by H-1 and C-13 NMR, EPR, FTIR, X-ray photoelectron, UV/Vis, and atomic absorption spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, solid-state fluorescence, fluorescence imaging, and fluorescence lifetime measurements, as well as by isotherm, kinetics, and thermodynamic studies. The geometries and electronic structures of the fluorophores and the absorption and emission properties of the terpolymers were examined by DFT, time-dependent DFT, and natural transition orbital analyses. For 1, 2, and 5, the limits of detection were determined to be 1.03x10(-7), 1.65x10(-7), and 1.77x10(-7) m, respectively, and the maximum adsorption capacities are 1575.21, 1433.70, and 1472.21 mg g(-1), respectively.