A new polyfluorene derivative, poly­[4,4′-(((2-phenyl-9H-fluorene-9,9-diyl)­bis­(hexane-6,1-diyl))­bis­(oxy))­dianiline)] (PFAM) was synthesized via the Suzuki coupling polymerization method in high yields for the rapid and specific recognition of nitroexplosive picric acid (PA) at 22.9 picogram level on solid support using paper strips and at 13.2 ppb level in aqueous solution. The polymer PFAM was well-characterized by means of NMR, UV–vis, fluorescence, time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The amplified signal response exclusively for PA was achieved via a strong inner filter effect (IFE), a phenomenon different from the widely reported ground-state charge transfer and/or Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) based probes for nitroaromatics detection. Pendant amine groups attached on the side chains of PFAM provide enhanced sensitivity and exceptional selectivity via protonation assisted photoinduced electron transfer (PET) even in the presence of most common interfering nitroexplosives, as well as other analytes usually found in natural water. Thus, the PFAM based platform was demonstrated for monitoring traces of PA at very low levels even in competitive environment in solution as well as solid state.

Spontaneously formed conjugated polymer nanoparticles (CPNs) or polymer dots displayed remarkable fluorescence response toward nitroexplosive-picric acid (PA) in multiple environments including 100% aqueous media, solid support using portable paper strips and vapor phase detection via two terminal device. This new cationic conjugated polyelectrolyte (CPE) poly(3,3'-((2-phenyl-9H-fluorene-9,9-diyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl))bis(1-methyl-1H-imidazol-3-ium)bromide) (PFMI) was synthesized by Suzuki coupling polymerization followed by post functionalization method without employing any hectic purification technique. Highest quenching constant value (K(sv)) of 1.12 × 10(8) M(-1) and a very low detection limit of 30.9 pM/7.07 ppt were obtained exclusively for PA in 100% aqueous environment which is rare and unique for any CPE/CPNs. Contact mode detection of PA was also performed using simple, cost-effective and portable fluorescent paper strips for achieving on-site detection. Furthermore, the two terminal sensor device fabricated with nanoparticles of PFMI (PFMI-NPs) provides an exceptional and unprecedented platform for the vapor mode detection of PA under ambient conditions. The mechanism for the ultrasensitivity of PFMI-NPs probe to detect PA is attributed to the "molecular-wire effect", electrostatic interaction, photoinduced electron transfer (PET), and possible resonance energy transfer (RET).

Picric acid (PA) detection at parts per trillion (ppt) levels is achieved by a conjugated polyelectrolyte (PMI) in 100% aqueous media and on a solid platform using paper strips and chitosan (CS) films. The unprecedented selectivity is accomplished via combination of ground state charge transfer and resonance energy transfer (RET) facilitated by favorable electrostatic interactions.

A new water-soluble cationic conjugated polymer [9,9-bis(6'-methyl imidazolium bromide)hexyl)fluorene-co-4,7-(2,1,3-benzothiadiazole)] (PFBT-MI) was designed and synthesized via Suzuki cross-coupling polymerization in good yields without any tedious purification steps. PFBT-MI showed excellent photophysical responses toward SDS and SDBS with a detection limit of 0.12 μM/(34 ppb) and 0.13 μM/(45 ppb), respectively. Furthermore, occurrence of FRET from the donor (fluorene) to acceptor (BT units), via surfactant-induced aggregation, results in naked-eye detection of these common anionic surfactants (SDS/SDBS) as the color changes from blue to yellowish green in aqueous solution. The polymer-surfactant nanoaggregates thus formed via electrostatic as well as hydrophobic interactions have been explored for the sensitive detection of spermine (considered as an excellent biomarker for early cancer diagnosis) with a detection limit of 66 ppb (0.33 μM), which is much below the range 1-10 μM pertinent for the early diagnosis of cancer in urinary samples. This highly sensitive technique would facilitate the direct and noninvasive detection of spermine from urine rapidly and is likely to have great significance in early cancer diagnosis.

A neutral conjugated polymer poly-p-phenylene (PPP) derivative, poly(1,4-bis-(8-(4-phenylthiazole-2-thiol)-octyloxy)-benzene) (PPT), was prepared using a simple and economical method of oxidative polymerization reaction. This newly synthesized polymer PPT was characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance ((1)H NMR), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis), and fluorescence spectroscopy. PPT displays fluorescence "turn-off/turn-on" characteristics and colorimetric responses to I(-) and Hg(2+). The UV-Vis and fluorescence spectra of the PPT showed a significant shift in λmax via the addition of iodides and mercury. A colorless PPT solution turns to deep yellow in the presence of iodide salts, which subsequently becomes colorless again on addition of Hg(2+) salts that could be easily detected visually by the naked eye. The Stern-Volmer constant (Ksv) value obtained for the detection of iodide is 0.13 × 10(5) M(-1), confirming very high sensitivity of this polymer for iodide salts. The detection limit of Hg(2+) salt using the PPT polymer was found to be 2.1 nM in water. The detection of both iodide and mercury was also possible in solid state by using a membrane film prepared by mixing 1% PPT in polystyrene. This membrane changes color in the presence of iodide as well as mercury salts. These results confirm that the PPT polymer can be applied for the colorimetric as well as fluorometric sensing of I(-) and Hg(2+) ions in a competent environment in solution, as well as in the solid state, using a membrane film rapidly.