Aggregation induced emission in 1,8-naphthalimide embedded nanomicellar architecture as a platform for fluorescent ratiometric pH-probe with biomedical applications

pH sensitive nanomicelles core embedded with fluorescent 1,8-naphthalimide aggregates are prepared. Due to the aggregation induced emission of the core embedded fluorophore in alkaline and neutral media, the novel micelles show green fluorescence which is switched in blue monomeric 1,8-naphthalimide emission in acid media after destabilization of the micellar architecture. Based on this change, the obtained nanomicelles are successfully applied as a fluorescent ratiometric probe for determination of pH of the media. The prepared nanomicelles show high cell-permeability and low cytotoxicity, which indicate high potential for future biomedical applications.