Visualizing and monitoring interfacial polymerization by aggregation-induced emission

We report the visualization and monitoring of interfacial polymerization by the aggregation-induced emission (AIE) effect at the alkane–ionic liquid interface. Quantitative AIE emission can be used to track real-time monomer consumption, to reveal the kinetic mechanism and thus to guide a linear control on polyamide films. The AIE-based approach is promising to explore diverse interfacial chemistries.