Researchers at CLS have developed a method to dissolve previously insoluble porous aromatic polymers (PAPs) in water by encapsulating them in aromatic micelles. These 100 nm-sized particles, which normally function only in solid form, can now incorporate hydrocarbons and dyes in solution, forming unique multi-component materials. The technique uses a simple grinding and sonication process, and enables particle size control via centrifugation and filtration. Notably, the presence of hydrocarbons enhances the fluorescence of the embedded dyes up to ninefold. This breakthrough introduces a new class of water-soluble, polycavity materials with potential applications in sensing, storage, and catalysis, opening up new possibilities beyond conventional single-cavity molecular systems.

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