Synthesis of an amphiphilic copolymer bearing rhodamine moieties and its self-assembly into micelles as chemosensors for Fe3+ in aqueous solution

We report on the fabrication of an amphiphilic random copolymer-based colorimetric and fluorescent chemosensor for Fe 3+ ions that was prepared by free radical polymerization of a novel rhodamine-based Fe 3+ -recognizing monomer , R6GEM, with N -vinylpyrrolidone (NVP). Because of its amphiphilic property, the copolymer P(NVP-co-R6GEM) can self-assemble into micelles , which allows it to be used as a chemosensor in aqueous solution. Upon addition of Fe 3+ ions to the micelle solution, visual color change and fluorescence enhancement were observed. Moreover, other metal ions did not induce obvious changes to the absorption and fluorescence spectra . The water dispersibility and biocompatibility of these polymer micelles could provide a new strategy for detecting analytes in environmental and biological systems.