Studies on Preparation and Fluorescent Properties of a Novel Photo-Sensitive Nanoparticle Composed of Europium Ion and Cinnamic Acid Derivative

A novel fluorescent and photo-sensitive nanoparticle was self-assembled from an europium-based random copolymer, europium coordinated poly(methylacrylic acid)-co-poly(cinnamyl acrylate) (PMCFA-Eu3+), which was synthesized from methylacrylic acid (AAAA), and Eu3+-cinnamyl acrylate derivative (CFA) by radical polymerization. DLS and TEM results indicated the formation of spherical nanoparticles with 120 nm in diameter. The PMCFA-Eu3+ complex showed stronger fluorescence than Eu3+, indicating the effective energy transferred from the ligand to Eu3+. Moreover, the photo-crosslinking of the cinnamate groups induced a decrease in the diameter and an increase in the fluorescent properties of the PMCFA-Eu3+ nanoparticles. This functional nanoparticle might be useful as a carrier and a fluorescence probe in biomedical and fluorescent fields.