Intrinsically Fluorescent Biocompatible Terpolymers for Detection and Removal of Bi(III) and Cell Imaging.

Intrinsically fluorescent biocompatible multifunctional multipurpose terpolymers, i.e., methyl methacrylate- co -methyl 3-( N -isopropylacrylamido)-2-methylpropanoate- co - N -isopropylacrylamide (MMA- co -MNIPAMP- co -NIPAm, 1 ) and methyl methacrylate- co -methyl 3-( N -hydroxymethylacrylamido)-2-methylpropanoate- co - N -hydroxymethylacrylamide (MMA- co -MNHMAMP- co -NHMAm, 2 ), were synthesized via in situ-attached acrylamido-ester monomers during polymerization of hydrophobic monomers in water medium. These nonconjugated fluorescent terpolymers presenting aggregation-enhanced emissions (AEEs) were suitable for Bi(III) sensors, Bi(III) removal, cell imaging, and security inks. The fluorescence properties, mechanisms of quenching, interactions of Bi(III) with 1 and 2 , and Bi(III) adsorption were explored using theoretical analyses of 1 , 2 , Bi(III)- 1 , and Bi(III)- 2 . Considering the overall properties, 1 was more suitable for diverse prospective applications.