Abstract
New star poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide)‐b‐polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (PNIPAm‐b‐POSS) copolymers were synthesized from octa‐azido functionalized POSS (N3‐POSS) and alkyne‐PNIPAm, which was prepared using an alkyne‐functionalized atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) initiator (propargyl 2‐bromo‐2‐methylpropionamide), via click chemistry. These star PNIPAm‐b‐POSS copolymers undergo a sharp coil‐globule transition in water at above 32°C changing from a hydrophilic state below this temperature to a hydrophobic state above it, which is similar to linear PNIPAm homopolymers. More interestingly, we found that these star polymers exhibited strong blue photoluminescence in water above a lower critical solution temperature (LCST). This photoluminescence was likely due to the constrained geometric freedom and relatively rigid structure caused by intramolecular hydrogen bonding within the star PNIPAm polymers, which exhibit an intrinsic fluorescent behavior.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
