A cyano-substituted diarylethlene derivative aggregation-induced emission (AIE) dye with two amino end-groups and 4

4'-(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphthalic anhydride were facilely incorporated into red fluorescent organic nanoparticles (FONs)

via

room temperature anhydride ring-opening polymerization under an air atmosphere. These obtained

RO-HFDA

FONs were characterized by a series of techniques including gel permeation chromatography

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

size distribution and zeta potential measurements

UV-Vis absorption spectrum

fluorescent spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Biocompatibility evaluation and cell uptake behavior of

RO-HFDA

FONs were further investigated to explore their potential biomedical application. We demonstrated that such FONs showed high water dispersibility

stable uniform spherical morphology (150−200 nm)

broad excitation band (350−605 nm)

intense red fluorescence (627 nm) and excellent biocompatibility

making them promising for cell imaging applications.