Fluorescent polymer cubosomes and hexosomes with aggregation-induced emission

Fluorescent polymer cubosomes and hexosomes with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) were prepared from amphiphilic block copolymers PEG-<i>b</i>-PTPEMA where the hydrophobic block PTPEMA was a polymethacrylate with tetraphenylethene (TPE) as the AIE side group. Four highly asymmetric block copolymers with hydrophilic block weight ratio <i>f</i> _PEG ≤ 20% were synthesized. Cubosomes and hexosomes with strong fluorescence emission were obtained by nanoprecipitation of polymers with <i>f</i> _PEG < 9% in dioxane/water and THF/water systems. Their ordered internal structures were studied by electron microscopy (cryo-EM, SEM and TEM) and the X-ray scattering technique (SAXS). To elucidate the formation mechanisms of these inverted colloids, other parameters influencing the morphologies, like the water content during self-assembly and the organic solvent composition, were also investigated. This study not only inspires people to design novel building blocks for the preparation of functional cubosomes and hexosomes, but also presents the first AIE fluorescent polymer cubosome and hexosome with potential applications in bio-related fields.