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.