TY - JOUR
T1 - Aggregation-Induced Emission Fluorescent Gels
T2 - Current Trends and Future Perspectives
AU - Tavakoli, Javad
AU - Ghahfarokhi, Amin Jamshidi
AU - Tang, Youhong
PY - 2021/4
Y1 - 2021/4
N2 - The development of fluorescent gels, if not the current focus, is at the center of recent efforts devoted to the invention of a new generation of gels. Fluorescent gels have numerous properties that are intrinsic to the gel structure, with additional light-emitting properties making them attractive for different applications. This review focuses on current studies associated with the development of fluorescent gels using aggregation-induced emission fluorophores (AIEgens) to ultimately suggest new directions for future research. Here, we discuss major drawbacks of the methodologies used frequently for the fabrication of fluorescent gels using traditional fluorophores compared to those using AIEgens. The fabrication strategies to develop AIE-based fluorescent gels, including physical mixing, soaking, self-assembly, noncovalent interactions, and permanent chemical reactions, are discussed thoroughly. New and recent findings on developing AIE-active gels are explained. Specifically, physically prepared AIE-based gels including supramolecular, ionic, and chemically prepared AIE-based gels are discussed. In addition, the intrinsic fluorescent properties of natural gels, known as clustering-triggered fluorescent gel, and new and recent relevant findings published in peer-reviewed journals are explained. This review also revealed the biomedical applications of AIE-based fluorescent hydrogels including drug delivery, biosensors, bioimaging, and tissue engineering. In conclusion, the current research situation and future directions are identified.
AB - The development of fluorescent gels, if not the current focus, is at the center of recent efforts devoted to the invention of a new generation of gels. Fluorescent gels have numerous properties that are intrinsic to the gel structure, with additional light-emitting properties making them attractive for different applications. This review focuses on current studies associated with the development of fluorescent gels using aggregation-induced emission fluorophores (AIEgens) to ultimately suggest new directions for future research. Here, we discuss major drawbacks of the methodologies used frequently for the fabrication of fluorescent gels using traditional fluorophores compared to those using AIEgens. The fabrication strategies to develop AIE-based fluorescent gels, including physical mixing, soaking, self-assembly, noncovalent interactions, and permanent chemical reactions, are discussed thoroughly. New and recent findings on developing AIE-active gels are explained. Specifically, physically prepared AIE-based gels including supramolecular, ionic, and chemically prepared AIE-based gels are discussed. In addition, the intrinsic fluorescent properties of natural gels, known as clustering-triggered fluorescent gel, and new and recent relevant findings published in peer-reviewed journals are explained. This review also revealed the biomedical applications of AIE-based fluorescent hydrogels including drug delivery, biosensors, bioimaging, and tissue engineering. In conclusion, the current research situation and future directions are identified.
KW - AIE polymers
KW - Aggregation-induced emission
KW - Biomedical applications
KW - Fluorescent gels
KW - Hydrogels
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85100566319&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s41061-020-00322-6
DO - 10.1007/s41061-020-00322-6
M3 - Review article
SN - 0340-1022
VL - 379
JO - TOPICS IN CURRENT CHEMISTRY
JF - TOPICS IN CURRENT CHEMISTRY
IS - 2
M1 - 9
ER -