The fluorescent carbon nanoparticles were grafted with the copolymers of N-isopropylacrylamide and spiropyran (f-CNP-g-poly(NIPAM-co-SP)), which have dual responses to light and temperature stimuli when they are in an aqueous solution. The blue-green and red fluorescence of the f-CNP-g-poly(NIPAM-co-SP) nanocomposites dissolved in water could be reversibly switched under UV and visible light stimuli. Meanwhile, when the temperature increased from room temperature (20 °C) to 38 °C, the blue-green fluorescence intensity decreased, the red fluorescence intensity increased, and the average hydrodynamic diameter of the f-CNP-g-poly(NIPAM-co-SP) nanocomposites increased due to aggregation.
- Bo Liao
- Xiangquan Liu
- Benqiao He