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.