Biocompatible fluorescent organic nanoparticles derived from glucose and polyethylenimine

•Polyethylenimine and glucose were incorporated to construct fluorescent organic nanoparticles (FONs).•The prepared condition was mild.•The FONs emitted various fluorescent colors under different excitation wavelengths.•The FONs showed intense fluorescence and high water dispersibility.•The FONs were promising for cell imaging due to their excellent biocompatibilities.

Fluorescent organic nanoparticles (FONs) were facilely prepared from polyethylenimine and glucose at mild reaction condition, and further utilized for cell imaging with various fluorescent wavelengths. The as-prepared PEI-Glu FONs were fully characterized by a series of techniques including 1H NMR spectrum, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, UV–vis absorption spectrum, and fluorescence spectra. Such FONs were demonstrated with intense fluorescence and high water dispersibility. Biocompatibility evaluation and cell uptake behavior of these FONs were further investigated, which proved excellent biocompatibility and made them promising for cell imaging.

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