Fabrication and Application of Dual-Modality Polymer Nanoparticles Based on an Aggregation-Induced Emission-Active Fluorescent Molecule and Magnetic Fe3O4

Fluorescent magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) utilized for imaging hold great promise for biomedical applications, but it remains a challenging task. Here, we report novel dual-modality NPs using an aggregation-induced emission (AIE)-active and near-infrared (NIR) emissive dye (TPAS) and magnetic Fe₃O₄ as the core, and biocompatible polymer Pluronic F-127 as the encapsulation matrix by self-assembly procedures. The obtained fluorescent-magnetic AIE NPs have both high fluorescence quantum yield (13.8%) at 700 nm and high magnetic saturation value. With good photostability and biocompatibility, the resulting NPs show effective MRI ability, but also a stain in cytoplasm with a strong NIR fluorescent signal.