Preparation of polystyrene fluorescent microspheres based on some fluorescent labels

Abstract

Five fluorescent labels were synthesized and used in the preparation of polystyrene fluorescent microspheres by the dispersion copolymerization and absorption method. Spectral properties of copolymerization fluorescent microspheres in tetrahydrofuran indicated these individual characteristics of labels should be maintained in the fluorescent microspheres. The differences of the fluorescent spectra between five fluorescent microspheres and their corresponding parent labels in ethanol have been investigated. These fluorescent microspheres were characterized by environmental scanning electron microscopy, laser scanning confocal microscopy and fluorescence spectrophotometry. They exhibited good dispersion and stable and high fluorescence intensity. Furthermore, copolymerization fluorescent microspheres were functionalized with amino groups. This means that a method for the preparation of copolymerization fluorescent microspheres was developed as a platform for the generation of functional fluorescent microspheres for diverse applications.