Initiator-lightened polymers: preparation of end-functionalized polymers by ATRP and their intramolecular charge transfer and aggregation-induced emission.

A simple strategy to prepare AIE polymers is invented using an AIE initiator for atom transfer radical polymerization. The dual photoresponse by intramolecular charge-transfer and luminogen aggregation of the initiator is well-realized and even enlarged after polymerization, due to the linkage of polymer chains.