Unveiling the Transformation from Aggregation‐Caused Quenching to Encapsulation‐Induced Emission Enhancement for Improving the Photoluminescence Properties and Detection Performance of Conjugated Polymer Material in Multiple States

Abstract

AbstractHigh hydrophobicity of π‐extended conjugated polymers (CPs) adversely affects their photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) in water and hydrogel/solid state via an unsolicited aggregation‐caused quenching (ACQ) process which ultimately hampers their sensing and imaging performance. Herein, an efficient strategy is presented to suppress and transform such ACQ process into an encapsulation‐induced emission enhancement (EIEE) effect through facile preparation of CP/Pluronic F‐127 fluorescent hybrid micelles and hydrogel. As a proof‐of‐concept, successful encapsulation of polyfluorene derivative PF‐DBT‐Im into F‐127 micelles not only displays an improved PLQY (≈200% increment) in water/hydrogel state but also delivers unique and augmented sensing responses toward the emerging pollutants tetracyclines taken as model analyte, validating the superiority of EIEE‐active hybrid micellar systems over ACQ suffering PF‐DBT‐Im aggregates. The established method not only provides a facile solution to circumvent ACQ problem existing in low water dispersible CPs but also endorses an enhanced, simplified sensing system for visual and on‐site detection of analytes with likely futuristic applications in biomedicine and solid‐state optoelectronics.