Aggregation-induced emission polymers

A great number of AIE materials are developed during the past 20 years since the first report of aggregation-induced emission (AIE). Compared with AIE-active small molecules, AIE polymers usually enjoy good film-forming ability, good processability, high thermal stability, multiple functionalities, and amplification effect of fluorescence signals, hence meeting the requirements of diverse practical demands. In this chapter, the most recent advances in AIE polymers will be summarized with the emphasis on the synthetic methodologies, unique structures, and applications. New methodologies such as living radical polymerizations, as well as newly developed single-component, two-component, and multicomponent condensation polymerizations are used to prepare AIE polymers. New examples of AIE-active polyelectrolytes, chiral AIE polymers, hyperbranched and porous AIE polymers, and AIE polymers without conventional fluorophores are summarized. The recent applications of AIE polymers on fluorescent sensors, stimuli-responsive materials, biological applications, and optoelectronic applications are introduced. The combination of AIE characteristics and diverse polymer structures has brought large opportunities to both luminescent materials and polymer materials and is anticipated to accelerate the development of advanced materials with practical applications.