tQ[14]-based AIE supramolecular network polymers as potential bioimaging agents for the detection of Fe3+ in live HeLa cells

In this study, tQ[14] based AIE supramolecular network polymers were first constructed through the host-guest interaction between tQ[14] and tetrakis[4-(1-methylpyridin-4-yl) phenyl]ethene iodide (TPE-4P), which display excellent fluorescence properties due to AIE (aggregation-induced emission) effect. TQ[14] is tightly bonded to the methyl-pyridine part of TPE-4P to induce RIR (restricted intramolecular rotation), further triggering the AIE effect. The constructed supramolecular network polymer illustrates good biocompatibility in cell imaging for cytoplasmic HeLa cells and sensitively and selectively detected Fe³⁺ in an aqueous solution. This polymer has also been successfully applied to detect Fe³⁺ ions in live HeLa cells, especially to differentiate normal and iron-overloaded cells. Overall, this study broadens the application of tQ[14] in supramolecular chemistry and provides a new direction for tQ[14] in biological research.