Unconventional
fluorescent polymers have attracted increasing attention
due to their facile synthesis, excellent biocompatibility, and novel
photophysical properties. In this work, a truly multicolor emissive
hyperbranched polysiloxane (HBPSi-β-CD) is obtained through
adjusting the distribution of electron-rich atoms and grafting β-cyclodextrin;
the quantum yields of HBPSi-β-CD after being excited by 360,
420, 450, and 550 nm are 19.36, 31.46, 46.14 and 44.84%, respectively.
The density functional theory calculations reveal that the truly multicolor
emission is derived from the formed electron delocalization among
the hydroxyl, amine, ether, and −Si(O)3 groups due
to the strong intermolecular interaction, high density of electron-rich
atoms, and low steric hindrance among functional groups. The prepared
polymers could serve as a multisensitivity sensor in detecting Fe3+, Cu2+, and Co2+. The HBPSi-β-CD
shows low cytotoxicity and excellent cellular imaging capability.
The self-assembly of HBPSi-β-CD also possesses high drug loading
capacity and pH-controlled drug release, especially, the drug delivery
system could be applied in the visualization of controlled drug delivery.