Nonconjugated amylopectin-grafted copolymers with dual fluorescence/low-temperature phosphorescence emission and superior processability.

Nonconjugated fluorescent polymers devoid of large π-π conjugated structures have received considerable attention due to their significant academic importance and broad application potentials in various fields. Herein, we report an effective strategy to fabricate multifunctional fluorescent amylopectin derivatives and reveal their unique aspects of aggregation-induced emission (AIE), cryogenic long-persistent phosphorescence (~6 s) and excellent processabilities characteristics, which are extremely different from traditional luminogens. These amylopectin-graft-poly(n-butyl acrylate-co-1-vinylimidazole) copolymers (Amylopectin-BVs) prepared by the grafting-from method employing RAFT and experienced subsequently with metal-ligand cross-linking. Specifically, clustering-triggered fluorescent emission or cryogenic long-persistent phosphorescence of amylopectin could be achieved by the aggregation of oxygen and nitrogen atoms along with conformation rigidification, which shows great promise in optoelectronic and biological applications.

Synthesization and Characterization of Lignin-graft-Poly (Lauryl Methacrylate) via ARGET ATRP.

Lignin as an abundant biological macromolecule isolated from the plant cell wall, and it cannot be efficiently utilized until suitable modifications to its structures were made. Therefore, we proposed a strategy to prepare an all biomass-based Lignin-graft-poly(Lauryl methacrylate, LMA) by grafting LMA monomers on the organosolv lignin through ARGET ATRP. The results of FT-IR and 1H NMR analysis demonstrated that PLMA molecular chains were successfully grafted on the lignin. Lignin improved copolymer's thermal stability and had a negligible effect on crystallization of PLMA molecular chains, according to our findings in the test of TGA and DSC. The rheological properties of the copolymer were found depending on the length of molecular chains of copolymer and lignin inside it. Both height and phase images of AFM suggest that lignin constituted a nanoscale aciculas and embedded in the microscale spheral dot composed by grafted PLMA molecular chains. Furthermore, the integrated consideration of results of all characterizations suggests a relative independent micro-component, which was composed by central lignin and peripheral PLMA, aggregates with each other to build the OL-g-PLMA copolymers. It hopes that the copolymer will be used as an additive for improving mechanical performance and UV blocking of other biopolymers.