Rod-coil Amphiphilic Block Copolymer Assisting Emulsion Confinement Self-assembly of Hydrophobic Quantum Dot into Robust Bio-imaging Nanoprobe

Jun-Ni Xie; Xiao-Ling Xu; Huan-Di Qiu; Yuan-Yuan Li; Xiao-Feng Peng; Yu-Fei Wang; Xing-Bao Yang; Xiao-Hong He; Dong-Sheng Wang; Kun Jia

doi:10.1007/s10118-026-3724-4

Your Location：

Home >

Browse articles >

Rod-coil Amphiphilic Block Copolymer Assisting Emulsion Confinement Self-assembly of Hydrophobic Quantum Dot into Robust Bio-imaging Nanoprobe

RESEARCH ARTICLE | Updated：2026-09-23

- Rod-coil Amphiphilic Block Copolymer Assisting Emulsion Confinement Self-assembly of Hydrophobic Quantum Dot into Robust Bio-imaging Nanoprobe
- Chinese Journal of Polymer Science Vol. 44, Issue 10, Pages: 3375-3386(2026)
- Affiliations：
  
  a.Department of Clinical Laboratory, Sichuan Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Sichuan Cancer Hospital & Institute, Sichuan Cancer Center, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610041, China
  b.School of Materials and Energy, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China
  c.Sichuan Province Engineering Technology Research Center of Novel CN Polymeric Materials, Chengdu 611731, China
  d.Institute of Life Science, eBond Pharmaceutical Technology Ltd., Chengdu 611130, China
  e.Sichuan Meteorological Optoelectronic Sensor Technology and Application Engineering Research Center, College of Optoelectronic Engineering (College of Weather Modification), Chengdu University of Information Technology, Chengdu 610225, China
- Author bio：
  
  lyy759707792@qq.com (Y.Y.L.)
  wangdongshengnc@163.com (D.S.W.)
  jiakun@uestc.edu.cn (K.J.)
- Funds：
- DOI：10.1007/s10118-026-3724-4
  CLC： [M
- Received：02 March 2026，
  
  Revised：2026-03-31，
  
  Accepted：21 April 2026，
  
  Online First：19 August 2026，
  
  Published：05 October 2026
- Accepted：
Scan QR Code
Xie, J. N.; Xu, X. L.; Qiu, H. D.; Li, Y. Y.; Peng, X. F.; Wang, Y. F.; Yang, X. B.; He, X. H.; Wang, D. S.; Jia, K. Rod-coil amphiphilic block copolymer assisting emulsion confinement self-assembly of hydrophobic quantum dot into robust bio-imaging nanoprobe. Chinese J. Polym. Sci. 2026, 44, 3375–3386

Jun-Ni Xie, Xiao-Ling Xu, Huan-Di Qiu, et al. Rod-coil Amphiphilic Block Copolymer Assisting Emulsion Confinement Self-assembly of Hydrophobic Quantum Dot into Robust Bio-imaging Nanoprobe[J]. Chinese Journal of Polymer Science, 2026, 44(10): 3375-3386.
Xie, J. N.; Xu, X. L.; Qiu, H. D.; Li, Y. Y.; Peng, X. F.; Wang, Y. F.; Yang, X. B.; He, X. H.; Wang, D. S.; Jia, K. Rod-coil amphiphilic block copolymer assisting emulsion confinement self-assembly of hydrophobic quantum dot into robust bio-imaging nanoprobe. Chinese J. Polym. Sci. 2026, 44, 3375–3386 DOI： 10.1007/s10118-026-3724-4.

Jun-Ni Xie, Xiao-Ling Xu, Huan-Di Qiu, et al. Rod-coil Amphiphilic Block Copolymer Assisting Emulsion Confinement Self-assembly of Hydrophobic Quantum Dot into Robust Bio-imaging Nanoprobe[J]. Chinese Journal of Polymer Science, 2026, 44(10): 3375-3386. DOI： 10.1007/s10118-026-3724-4.

摘要

A new kind of rod-coil amphiphilic block copolymer (PENG) was synthesized to use as both a macromo

lecular surfactant and a polymer matrix to encapsulate hydrophobic quantum dots

via

soft-confinement self-assembly

yielding surfactant-free QD@PENG water-dispersible nanoparticles with 121 °C-stable fluorescence and good biocompatibility for bio-imaging application.

Abstract

Self-assembly of block copolymers (BCP) with quantum dots (QDs) in a three-dimensional confined emulsion system is an effective method for preparing advanced QD/polymer composite particles with diverse morphologies and functionalities. However

the obtained particles normally exhibit sub-micrometer sizes and contain residual toxic surfactants

which hinders their potential application in fluorescent bio-imaging. In this study

we designed and synthesized a rod-coil-type amphiphilic block copolymer bearing a rigid hydrophobic poly(arylene ether nitrile) (PEN) block end-capped with a flexible hydrophilic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) segment for the first time. Subsequently

the synthesized amphiphilic block copolymer

abbreviated as PENG

was employed as both the macromolecular surfactant and polymeric matrix to encapsulate the green-emitting oleophilic QD

via

emulsion confinement self-assembly. This process ultimately results in the generation of surfactant-free QD@PENG nanoparticles showing robust fluorescence emission over a wide pH and salt concentration range. Meanwhile

both the fine morphology and fluorescence emission of the QD@PENG nanoparticles were well preserved even after steam sterilization at 121 °C for 2 h

which is attributed to the high-temperature resistance of the rigid PEN segment. Owing to their robust fluorescence

biocompatibility

and nanoscale size (about 100 nm)

the optimized QD@PENG nanoparticles exhibited good performance in fluorescent imaging of macrophage cells. The current work proves that the emerging rod-coil amphiphilic block copolymers could serve as a promising matrix for the preparation of reliable bio-imaging probes.

关键词

Keywords

references

Wang, Q.; Liu, Y.; Ke, Y.; Yan, H. Quantum dot bioconjugation during core–shell synthesis. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2008 , 47 , 316−319..

He, S.; Liang, G.; Tang, B.Z.; Wu, K. Thermally activated delayed photoluminescence based on functionalized quantum dots. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2025 , 64 , e202506555..

Soci, C.; Adamo, G.; Cortecchia, D.; Wang, K.; Xiao, S.; Song, Q.; Schall-Giesecke, A.L.; Cegielski, P.J.; Lemme, M.C.; Gerace, D.; Sanvitto, D.; Tian, J.; Tonkaev, P.A.; Makarov, S.V.; Kivshar, Y.S.; Jimenez Gordillo, O.A.; Melloni, A.; Pushkarev, A.P.; D'Amato, M.; Lhuillier, E.; Bramati, A. Roadmap on perovskite nanophotonics. Opt. Mater. 2023 , 17 , 100214..

Zhang, R.; Gao, S.; Cao, R. Sandwich-like QDs/MOFs films for selective sensing and multicolor emitting. Chin. Chem. Lett. 2022 , 33 , 4013−4016..

Chen, Y.; Cordero, J. M.; Wang, H.; Franke, D.; Achorn, O. B.; Freyria, F. S.; Coropceanu, I.; Wei, H.; Chen, O.; Mooney, D. J.; Bawendi, M. G. A ligand system for the flexible functionalization of quantum dots via Click chemistry. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2018 , 57 , 4652−4656..

Ge, J.; Ma, D.; Duan, G.; Yan, Z.; Yang, L.; Yang, D.; Cai, R.; Tan, W. A novel probe for tetracyclines detection and its applications incell imaging based on fluorescent WS2 quantum dots. Anal. Chim. Acta 2022 , 1221 , 340130..

Yao, F.; Wang, Z. G.; Liu, S. L.; Wang, H.; Zhu, J.; He, R.; Yang, X.; Liu, X.; Wu, Q.; Wu, J. K. Purified fluorescent nanohybrids based on quantum dot–HER2–antibody for breast tumor target imaging. Talanta 2023 , 260 , 124560..

Ma, R.; Zhou, Y.; Bi, H.; Yang, M.; Wang, J.; Liu, Q.; Huang, F. Multidimensional graphene structures and beyond: unique properties, syntheses and applications. Prog. Mater. Sci. 2020 , 113 , 100665..

Yao, Y.; Xue, J.; Wang, M.; Fu, D.; Shen, Y.; Xue, Y.; Zhang, F.; Liu, P.; Wang, H.; Wu, H. Tunable Photoluminescent, Water-Resistant and flexible films prepared using hollow Cellulose-Based microspheres encapsulating hydrophobic fluorescent dyes. Chem. Eng. J. 2024 , 482 , 149116..

Yang, Y.; Liu, X.; Meng, S.; Mao, S.; Tao, W.; Li, Z. Molecularly imprinted polymers-isolated AuNP-enhanced CdTe QD fluorescence sensor for selective and sensitive oxytetracycline detection in real water samples. J. Hazard. Mater. 2023 , 458 , 131941..

Jia, K.; Yi, K.; Zhang, W.; Yan, P.; Zhang, S.; Liu, X. Carbon nanodots calibrated fluorescent probe of QD@amphiphilic polyurethane for ratiometric detection of Hg (II). Sens. Actuat. B Chem. 2022 , 370 , 132443..

Yang, K.; Luo, G.; Zeng, X.; Xu, M.; Pi, P.; Xu, S.; Wen, X. Aqueous quantum dots with high fluorescence, colloidal stability and biocompatibility encapsulated by an amphiphilic fluorine copolymer. Polymer 2019 , 179 , 121706..

Nie, X. B.; Yu, C. Y.; Wei, H. Precise modulation of spatially distributed inorganic nanoparticles in block copolymers-based self-assemblies with diverse morphologies. Mater. Today Chem. 2021 , 22 , 100616. .

Ansari, A. A.; Lv, R.; Gai, S.; Parchur, A. K.; Solanki, P. R.; Archana; Ansari, Z. A.; Dhayal, M.; Yang, P.; Nazeeruddin, M. K.; Tavakoli, M. M. ZnO nanostructures – Future frontiers in photocatalysis, solar cells, sensing, supercapacitor, fingerprint technologies, toxicity, and clinical diagnostics. Coord. Chem. Rev. 2024 , 515 , 215942..

Farzin, M.A.; Abdoos, H. A critical review on quantum dots: From synthesis toward applications in electrochemical biosensors for determination of disease-related biomolecules. Talanta 2021 , 224 , 121828..

Chen, C.; Ng, D.Y.W.; Weil, T. Polymer bioconjugates: Modern design concepts toward precision hybrid materials. Prog. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 105 , 101241..

Khodadadi Yazdi, M.; Zarrintaj, P.; Saeb, M.R.; Mozafari, M.; Bencherif, S.A. Progress in ATRP-derived materials for biomedical applications. Prog. Mater. Sci. 2024 , 143 , 101248..

Sobiech, M.; Luliński, P.; Wieczorek, P. P.; Marć, M. Quantum and carbon dots conjugated molecularly imprinted polymers as advanced nanomaterials for selective recognition of analytes in environmental, food and biomedical applications. TrAC, Trends Anal. Chem. 2021 , 142 , 116306..

Hamed, E. M.; Li, S. F. Y. Molecularly imprinted polymers-based sensors for bisphenol-A: recent developments and applications in environmental, food and biomedical analysis. Trends Environ. Anal. Chem. 2022 , 35 , e00167..

Han, M.; Gao, X.; Su, J.Z.; Nie, S. Quantum-dot-tagged microbeads for multiplexed optical coding of biomolecules. Nat. Biotechnol. 2001 , 19 , 631−635..

Joumaa, N.; Lansalot, M.; Théretz, A.; Elaissari, A.; Sukhanova, A.; Artemyev, M.; Nabiev, I.; Cohen, J. H. M. Synthesis ofquantum dot-tagged submicrometer polystyrene particles by miniemulsion polymerization. Langmuir 2006 , 22 , 1810−1816..

Yuan, Q.; Russell, T.P.; Wang, D. Self-assembly behavior of PS- b -P2VP block copolymers and carbon quantum dots at water/oil interfaces. Macromolecules 2020 , 53 , 10981−10987..

Lü, J.; Liu, B.; Shi, B.; Lü, C. Coordination-i nduced assemblies of quantum dots in amphiphilic thermo-responsive block copolymer micelles: morphologies, optical properties and applications. Polym. Chem. 2018 , 9 , 3158−3168..

Chen, H.; Yeh, J.; Wang, L.; Khurshid, H.; Peng, N.; Wang, A.Y.; Mao, H. Preparation and control of the formation of single core and clustered nanoparticles for biomedical applications using a versatile amphiphilic diblock copolymer. Nano Res. 2010 , 3 , 852−862..

Arranja, A.; Schroder, A.P.; Schmutz, M.; Waton, G.; Schosseler, F.; Mendes, E. Cytotoxicity and internalization of Pluronic micelles stabilized by core cross-linking. J. Control. Rel. 2014 , 196 , 87−95..

Bai, Q. q.; Jin, X. z.; Yang, J. h.; Qi, X. d.; Wang, Y. Constructing network structure of graphene nanoplatelets/carbon nanofibers in polystyrene and the resultant heat resistance, thermal and conductive properties. Compos. Part A-Appl. S. 2019 , 117 , 299−307..

He, X.; Ji, Y.; Xie, J.; Hu, W.; Jia, K.; Liu, X. Emulsion solvent evaporation induced self-assembly of polyarylene ether nitrile block copolymers into functional metal coordination polymeric microspheres. Polymer 2020 , 186 , 122024..

Jia, K.; Bai, Y.; Wang, L.; Luo, Y.; Hu, W.; He, X.; Wang, P.; Marks, R.; Liu, X. Emulsion confinement self-assembly regulated lanthanide coordinating polymeric microparticles for multicolor fluorescent nanofibers. Polymer 2021 , 230 , 124043..

Liang, W.; Zhao, X.; Wang, X.; Tang, Z.; Zhang, X.; Wang, X. Prediction of freshwater ecotoxicological hazardous concentrations of major surfactants using the QSAR–ICE–SSD method. Environ. Int. 2024 , 185 , 108472..

Bai, Y.; Zhang, T.; Lin, H.; Liu, X.; Guo, D.; Li, S.; Yan, D. Molecular simulation of the effect of anionic surfactant on methane diffusion in coal. Energy 2024 , 295 , 131018..

Wang, S.; Luo, L.; Wu, A.; Wang, D.; Wang, L.; Jiao, Y.; Tian, C. Recent advances in tailoring zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) and their derived materials based on hard template strategy for multifunctional applications. Coord. Chem. Rev. 2024 , 498 , 215464..

Soni, K. S.; Desale, S. S.; Bronich, T. K. Nanogels: an overview of properties, biomedical applications and obstacles to clinica l translation. J. Controlled Rel. 2016 , 240 , 109−126..

Grason, G. M. The packing of soft materials: molecular asymmetry, geometric frustration and optimal lattices in block copolymer melts. Phys. Rep. 2006 , 433 , 1−64..

Sharma, M.; Beniwal, P.; Toor, A. P. The effect of rice straw derived microfibrillated cellulose as a reinforcing agent in starch/polyvinyl alcohol/polyethylene glycol biocompatible films. Mater. Chem. Phys. 2022 , 291 , 126652..

Gong, L.; Zhu, J.; Yang, Y.; Qiao, S.; Ma, L.; Wang, H.; Zhang, Y. Effect of polyethylene glycol on polysaccharides: From molecular modification, composite matrixes, synergetic properties to embeddable application in food fields. Carbohydr. Polym. 2024 , 327 , 121647..

Xie, J.; Jia, K.; Liu, C.; Ji, Y.; Dai, J.; Marks, R.; Liu, X. Aromatic block copolymer ligand sensitized lanthanide nanostructures as ratiometric fluorescence probe for determination of residual K 2 CO 3 in super engineering thermoplastics. Sens. Actuat. B Chem. 2021 , 334 , 129611..

[He, X.; Jia, K.; Marks, R.; Hu, Y.; Liu, X. 3D confined self-assembling of QD within super-engineering block copolymers as biocompatible superparticles enabling stimulus responsive solid state fluorescence. Nano Res . 2021 , 14 , 285−294..

Rayees, R.; Gani, A.; Noor, N.; Ayoub, A.; Ashraf, Z. U. General approaches to biopolymer-based Pickering emulsions. Int. J. Biol. Macromol. 2024 , 267 , 131430..

Li, Y.; Xiao, G.; Chen, C.; Chen, C.; Li, F.; Lin, L. Foam stability properties of eco-friendly three-phase foam system reinforced by polydopamine@KH560/(octyl)-trimethoxysilane modified basalt. Colloid Surf. A-Physicochem. Eng. Asp. 2021 , 627 , 127147..

Basu, M.; Hassan, P.A.; Shelar, S.B. Modulation of surfactant self-assembly in deep eutectic solvents and its relevance to drug delivery-a review. J. Mol. Liq. 2023 , 375 , 121301..

Kharaziha, M.; Scheibel, T.; Salehi, S. Multifunctional naturally derived bioadhesives: from strategic molecular design toward advanced biomedical applications. Prog. Polym. Sci. 2024 , 150 , 101792..

Singh, I. R.; Pulikkal, A. K. Nano emulsions stabilized by natural emulsifiers: A comprehensive review on feasibility, stability and bio-applicability. J. Drug Deliv. Sci. Technol. 2024 , 92 , 105303..

Durand, A.; Marie, E. Macromolecular surfactants for miniemulsion polymerization. Adv. Colloid Interface Sci. 2009 , 150 , 90−105..

Bao, D.; Liu, L.; Sun, T.; Han, Y.; Meng, F.; Zhao, M.; Yu, Y.; Guo, J.; Zhang, S. Solid solid phase change (SSPC) chitosan- g -mPEG fiber with improved mechanical performance via in-situ wet spinning process. Carbohydr. Polym. 2020 , 240 , 116313..

Lee, D. N.; Yang, S. B.; Kweon, S.; Lee, J. H.; Lee, K. J.; Ryu, Y.; Shin, D.W.; Kim, Y.J.; Lee, Y. K.; Park, J. Design and development of novel self-assembled catechol-modified bile acidconjugates as pH-responsive apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter targeting nanoparticles. Biomaterials 2024 , 308 , 122539..

Hu, Y.; Tian, Z.; Ma, D.; Qi, C.; Yang, D.; Huang, S. Smart colloidal photonic crystal sensors. Adv. Colloid Interface Sci. 2024 , 324 , 103089..

Ganda, S.; Stenzel, M. H. Concepts, fabrication methods and applications of living crystallization-driven self-assembly of block copolymers. Prog. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 101 , 101195..

Tiwari, P.; Yadav, K.; Shukla, R. P.; Gautam, S.; Marwaha, D.; Sharma, M.; Mishra, P.R. Surface modification strategies in translocating nano-vesicles across different barriers and the role of bio-vesicles in improving anticancer therapy. J. Controlled Rel. 2023 , 363 , 290−348..

Kumar, A. M.; Khan, A.; Hussein, M. A.; Khan, M. Y.; Dafalla, H.; Suresh, B.; Ramakrishna, S. Hybrid nanocomposite coatings from PEDOT and BN-TiO 2 nanosheets: enhanced in vitro corrosion resistance, wettability and biocompatibility for biomedical applications. Prog. Org. Coat. 2022 , 170 , 106946..

[Mohammadi, M.; Ahmed Qadir, S.; Mahmood Faraj, A.; Hamid Shareef, O.; Mahmoodi, H.; Mahmoudi, F.; Moradi, S. Navigating the future: microfluidics charting new routes in drug delivery. Int. J. Pharm . 2024 , 124142..

Views

Downloads

CSCD

Alert me when the article has been cited

Submit

Tools

Publicity Resources

Sliding Dynamics of Ring Chain on a Rod-Coil Block Copolymer in Rotaxane

Ring-opening Metathesis Polymerization of Cis-5-norbornene-endo-2,3-dicarboxylic Anhydride Derivatives Using the Grubbs Third Generation Catalyst

PEGYLATED SINGLE-WALLED CARBON NANOTUBES WITH GELABLE BLOCK COPOLYMERS

Alternating Poly(ether-alt-ester)s with High Glass Transition Temperature Enabled by Rotationally Constrained Biaryl Units

Special Topic: Chirality in Polymers

Related Author

Lin-Li He

Si-Yi Yan

Xiang-Hong Wang

Ke Li

Li-xia Ren

Yue-sheng Li

Ji-xing Yang

Yong-ming Chen

Related Institution

Department of Physics, Wenzhou University

Shanghai Technical Institute of Electronics & Information

College of Electronics and Information Engineering, Shanghai University of Electric Power

School of Materials Science and Engineering and Tianjin Key Laboratory of Composite and Functional Materials, Tianjin University

Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, the Chinese Academy of Sciences

⁰