Synthesis of fluorescent composite macromolecules by using organic/inorganic assemblies as structural units.

A synthetic pathway is introduced to construct fluorescent composite macromolecules with supramolecular assemblies as structural units. The supramolecular assembly that contains polymerizable groups is used as a starting "monomer." The supramolecular assembly is composed of nanoparticle core of II - IV group semiconductor and organic ammonium shell. Polymerization of the assemblies yields soluble composite macromolecules. Light scattering data show that the macromolecule has an average size of about 310 nm in diameter in chloroform; AFM image illustrates that the macromolecule has an average diameter of 120 nm and an average height of 35 nm on a mica surface and photoluminescent spectra reveal that the macromolecule performs an extraordinary enhancement in fluorescence intensity of the semiconductor nanoparticles. These observations suggest that construction of macromolecules with supramolecular assembly as starting monomer may produce generations of materials with novel properties.