The polymers with the aggregation-induced emission ( AIE) effect usually contain π-π conjugated chromophore. Recently

polymers containing unconventional chromophores

such as aliphatic amine

carbonyl

ester group et al.

can also emit eye-catching bright fluorescence under appropriate conditions. Compared with conjugated photoluminescent polymers

containing benzene and heterocyclic ring

nonconjugated photoluminescent polymers show lower toxicity and better environmental friendly. Therefore

nonconjugated photoluminescent polymers have potential application in biological probe

drug delivery

and bioimaging. However

it is a big challenge to reveal the mechanism of photoluminescence

which is now controversial. In this paper

the photoluminescence mechanism and the latest application research of the polymers are analyzed

based on the species of polymers

including hyperbranched poly(amidoamine)

poly (amino ester)

poly(ethylenimine)

polysiloxanes.