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Preparation of polystyrene/poly[2‐methoxy‐5‐(2′‐ethylhexyloxy)‐ p ‐phenylenevinylene] fluorescent microspheres by miniemulsion polymerization
Author(s) -
Zhang Jianjun,
Gao Ge,
Liu Fengqi,
Foster Neil R,
Chen Jianfeng
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
polymer international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.592
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1097-0126
pISSN - 0959-8103
DOI - 10.1002/pi.4346
Subject(s) - miniemulsion , polymerization , materials science , fluorescence , polystyrene , polymer chemistry , polymer , quantum yield , fourier transform infrared spectroscopy , context (archaeology) , photochemistry , chemical engineering , chemistry , paleontology , physics , quantum mechanics , engineering , composite material , biology
Fluorescent microspheres have great potential for use as probes in biological diagnostics. In this context, poly[2‐methoxy‐5‐(2′‐ethylhexyloxy)‐ p ‐phenylenevinylene] (MEH‐PPV), a conjugated polymer which has high quantum yield, controllable emitting wavelength and facile processing in manufacture, was used as a fluorescent material for the preparation of polystyrene (PS)/MEH‐PPV fluorescent microspheres via miniemulsion polymerization. We demonstrate that the emitting wavelength of the PS/MEH‐PPV fluorescent microspheres can be regulated by changing the amount of azobisisobutyronitrile initiator in the polymerization process. Using acrylic acid comonomer, poly[styrene‐ co ‐(acrylic acid)]/MEH‐PPV fluorescent microspheres with functional carboxyl groups were also prepared. All the microspheres were characterized using transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, fluorescence microscopy and fluorescence spectrophotometry. The functional carboxyl groups were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. This work provides a novel platform for the preparation of conjugated polymer fluorescent microspheres for biological applications. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry