An unconventional nano-AIEgen originating from a natural plant polyphenol for multicolor bioimaging

• DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrp.2022.100745
• Publication Date: 2022-02-01T15:41:13Z
• Authors: Lei Lu; Mengyao Yang; Youngseo Kim; Tingting Zhang; Nahyun Kwon; Haidong Li; Sungnam Park; Juyoung Yoon
• Keywords: Tannic acid; Biocompatible material

Biocompatible aggregation-induced emission (AIE) materials from natural resources are of great interest for a variety potential applications. Here, we report the unconventional AIE nature green tea polyphenol epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which is investigated by observing disappearance and reoccurrence fluorescence when EGCG dissolved recrystallized in aqueous solutions. The intermolecular through-space conjugation structural rigidification induced multiple H-bonds play critical roles phenomenon. This inspires development multicolored, monodisperse, photostable, non-toxic nano-AIE luminogen (nano-AIEgen), simply prepared polyphenol-amine-based crosslinking solutions, demonstrating living cell bioimaging. Our strategy to develop nano-AIEgens using AIE-active hydrophilic products—e.g., plant polyphenols, such as tannic acid, that exhibit similar characteristics—can help push boundary exploration various novel, large-scale, biocompatible, water-soluble, degradable resources.