From polymeric nanoparticles to dye‐containing photonic crystals: synthesis, self‐assembling, optical features, and possible applications

Abstract

Poly(styrene-co-N-vinylformamide) (poly(St-co-VFA)) nanoparticles with the diameter from 55 to 200 nm were prepared by emulsion copolymerization and their self-assembling was studied. In the dispersions of these particles, the formation of iridescent periodic colloid structures is observed. The period of the structures is about 220 nm and shows no cymbate dependence on the nanoparticle size, indicating the possible variety of packing types occurring during the self-assembling of nanoparticles in dispersions. For 250-300 nm sized poly(styrene-co-methacrylic acid) (poly(St-co-MAA)) particles, it was shown that ionization of their surface carboxylic groups in alkaline media leads to the considerable improvement of the photonic crystal structures obtained from the dispersions of these nanoparticles. It was demonstrated that cationic chromophores can be adsorbed on their negatively charged surface. In this way, chromophore-modified polymer photonic crystal materials for applications as gas or liquid sensors could be prepared, as their measured fluorescence spectra show remarkable and reversible responses to the presence of polar organic solvent vapors, e.g. acetone.

Fluorescence imaging enabled urethane-doped citrate-based biodegradable elastomers

“…For drug delivery, biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles equipped with fluorescent moieties resulted in theranostic devices for more effective disease management such as cancer diagnosis and treatment. Traditionally, organic dyes or semiconducting quantum dots are incorporated to enable fluorescence [15, 16]. Although promising, organic dyes, such as Indocyanine Green (ICG) and fluorescein, have proved to be cytotoxic at the cellular level, and have low dye-to-reporter molecule labeling ratios [17].…”

Luminophore-containing polymer particles: Synthesis and optical properties of thin films on their basis

“…Lumi nophore containing polymer particles find practical use as luminescent markers [1,2], in latex agglutina tion reactions [3], and for the creation of sensor mate rials on their basis [4][5][6]. Moreover, the formation of 3D ordered solid polymer matrices based on lumino phore containing particles makes it possible to study the optical effects emerging upon the interaction of emitting light with the three dimensional structure [7,8].…”

“…Luminescence spectra of thin films on the basis of luminophore containing particle samples: P(St MAA) 1 (1, 2) and 2 (3) and P(St MAA EGDM) B1 (4) and P(St EGDM) C1 (5) before (1) and after(2)(3)(4)(5) the removal of the covalently unbound luminophore. Syn thetic conditions are given inTables 1 and 2.…”

Crosslinked monodisperse particles containing luminophore groups in shells for molecular recognition of lower alcohols

“…Meanwhile, the urgent task of monitoring harmful compounds in air requires that economical and highly specific sensor systems be created. The incorporation of dyes into relatively cheap polymer matrices that change their luminescence spectra owing to the for mation of complexes with organic compounds (the solvatochromic effect) is a promising approach to cre ation of sensor materials with an optical response to the presence of volatile organic compounds in the gas phase [10][11][12]. For creation of sensor polymeric materials with an optical response to the presence of target analytes, it is advisable to use the molecular imprinting technique with participation of lumino phore containing monomers.…”