Room-temperature synthesis of novel polymeric nanoclusterwith emissions and its Cu2+ recognition performance

A robust, one-pot synthesis of polymeric nanocluster in polar medium has been reported based on the assembly of polyethyleneimine (PEI) and p-phenylenediamine (PPDA). A number of process parameters including molecular weights of PEI, ratios between PEI and PPDA, reaction time, pH condition and solvent polarity have been discussed. This novel nanomaterial can exhibit striking blue-greenish emissions upon the excitation at 377 nm. More importantly, it is highly sensitive to the titration of copper ions and detection limit has been determined to be as low as 11.27 nmol. These results will pave the way for constructing next generation of polymeric devices.