Naphthalimide-Based Aggregation-Induced Emissive Polymeric Hydrogels for Fluorescent Pattern Switch and Biomimetic...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Supramolecular Chemistry

Background:

• Substituted naphthalimides (NI) are emerging as versatile building blocks for aggregation-induced emission (AIE) materials.
• Developing AIE-active polymeric hydrogels using NI fluorophores remains an underexplored area.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize a novel naphthalimide-based aggregation-induced emissive polymeric hydrogel.
• To investigate its potential applications as a fluorescence pattern switch and biomimetic actuator.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of a semi-interpenetrating polymer network hydrogel using N-isopropylacrylamide, hydroxyethyl methacrylate, and a designed NI monomer (4-phenoxy-N-allyl-1,8-naphthalimide, PhAN).
• Molecular design of the PhAN monomer to achieve a propeller-shaped conformation and AIE properties.
• Characterization of the hydrogel's AIE behavior, volume phase transition, and thermally responsive optical properties.

Main Results:

• The synthesized hydrogel exhibits aggregation-induced blue light emission.
• The hydrogel demonstrates volume phase transition behavior.
• Simultaneous regulation of emission and transmittance was achieved through thermal stimulus, showcasing synergistic optical property changes.

Conclusions:

• A novel AIE-active hydrogel based on a designed naphthalimide monomer was successfully prepared.
• The hydrogel shows promise for applications in fluorescence pattern switching and biomimetic actuation.
• This work expands the scope of fluorescent hydrogels and presents a smart optical platform for sensing, anticounterfeiting, and display technologies.