Rylene bisimide-based nanoparticles with cross-linked core and thermoresponsive shell using poly(vinyl amine)-based block copolymers

Rylene bisimide-based nanoparticles with cross-linked core were synthesized by site-selective cross-linking and self-assembly of block copolymer composed of poly(N-vinyl amine) and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), which was prepared by RAFT polymerization. Single-step imidization of poly(vinyl amine)-b-poly(NIPAM) with arylene dianhydride derivatives, including naphthalene-1,8:4,5-tetracarboxylic dianhydride and perylene-3,4:9,10-tetracarboxylic dianhydride, afforded nanoparticles with naphthalene bisimide core (NP-NBI) and perylene bisimide core (NP-PBI), respectively. DLS analysis demonstrated that the size of cross-linked nanoparticles was uniform and could be controlled by the imidization conditions. UV–vis, fluorescence, and cyclic voltammetry measurements led to the optical and electrochemical properties derived from NBI and PBI units in the cross-linked nanoparticles, supporting the successful preparation of desired nanoparticles. [Display omitted] •We have developed an efficient strategy for the fabrication of thermoresponsive nanoparticles having optoelectronic cross-linked cores.•The imidization between poly(N-vinyl amine)-b-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) with rylene dianhydrides afforded uniform nanoparticles.•Optical and electrochemical properties derived from rylene bisimide units were observed.