Preparation of conjugated poly(p-phenylene) hierarchical microspheres by nonsolvent vapor self-assembly and their fluorescent detection of metal ions

The novel hierarchical microspheres from conjugated poly(p-phenylene)s can be self-assembled by the nonsolvent vapor method. The formation of hierarchical microspheres depends on the choice of polar nonsolvent vapor atmospheres, solvents, and the length of side chains. The intermolecular interactions, including the side-chain interactions and the π-π interactions between conjugated backbones, occur spontaneously to form various conformations and polymeric aggregates, which have an effect on the fluorescence wavelength of the polymer hierarchical microspheres. Our results demonstrate a facile way to prepare polymeric hierarchical microspheres and adjust their optical properties. Moreover, the hierarchical microspheres with rough surface show a highly selective fluorescence “turn-off” sensor for Fe3 + with almost no interference of other metal ions.