Reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer enhanced aggregation signal-on fluorescence detection of alkaline phosphatase

The instability of the signal intensity of fluorescent biosensors and the false signals have been significant factors affecting the performance of biosensors. Herein, a novel signaling system is devised through the application of reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization with monomers containing the tetraphenylethylene (TPE) groups. TPE exhibits an aggregation-induced emission (AIE) phenomenon in certain solvents, mainly due to the blockage of the rotation of its four benzene rings, which also exist in the aggregated state. With this property, a series of molecules are modified based on click chemistry for RAFT polymerization using Fe 3 O 4 magnetic beads as the carriers, and stable aggregated luminescent TPE polymers are formed on the surface of magnetic beads to realize the transformation of fluorescence signal from “0” to “1”. In addition, the fluorescence signal demonstrates a positive correlation with alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, which can be quantified by measuring the fluorescence intensity. The biosensor exhibits high sensitivity and good linearity in the range of 0.1–5 U/L, with a LOD of 0.079 U/L. Furthermore, the designed strategy demonstrated satisfactory performance in the quantitative determination of ALP activity in serum samples, indicating that the signaling system developed by combining RAFT polymerization and AIE molecules has an important application in the field of fluorescent biosensors. Graphical Abstract