Polymers for Luminescent Sensing Applications

Abstract

presence of an analyte is fi rst detected by interaction with a receptor and is then followed by the transduction of this binding event into a measurable signal. [ 2 ] Selectivity and sensitivity are the most important requirements of a sensor. The selectivity of a chemical sensor is very dependent on its receptor. To attain high selectivity, specifi c interaction between the receptor and an analyte should exist. [ 3 ] Polymers used for chemical sensing applications can be classifi ed into two categories: polymers interacting with analyte molecules in a receptor and those functioning in a transducer with generating signals. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are an interesting class of polymers designed as artifi cial receptors. Conjugated polymers (CPs) are typical Polymers are widely used for chemical sensing applications, as a receptor or as a signal transducer. Fluorescent conjugated polymers (CPs) are extensively studied for signaling. Water-soluble CPs are particularly attractive due to their potential sensing applications in environmental and biorelated fi elds. The CPs by themselves do not provide specifi c binding sites by folding into secondary or tertiary structures. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are artifi cial receptors fabricated using the molecular-imprinting technique. They contain in-built information about the shape and functionality of specifi c potential analytes. However, most MIPs do not have optical-signaling properties. In this article, the recent developments regarding luminescent polymeric sensors are briefl y summarized. It will be of great interest if the optical-signal properties of CPs and the selectivity of MIPs are integrated in an advanced polymeric sensor.

A new type of polymer carbon dots with high quantum yield: From synthesis to investigation on fluorescence mechanism

“…In addition, fluorescent polymer is another kind of functional materials, which can be applied to the chemical and biological sensing [20,21]. Introducing functional fluorophores onto the polymer chain [22] and polymerizing conjugated monomer [23,24] are two common ways to obtain fluorescent polymer.…”

Supramolecular Behaviour and Fluorescence of Rhodamine-Functionalised ROMP Polymer

“…48,49 When copolymerised, the fluorescent monomers tend to undergo quenching to varying degrees and this can be caused by several phenomena including aggregation-caused quenching (ACQ) 50 and chemical interaction with other functional groups. [51][52][53] In the system reported here, since the hydrophobic block is formed from just one monomer, it is possible for quenching or other photophysical interactions to occur both at intra-and interchain levels. Intrachain effects will be independent of the local concentration of the polymer, whereas interchain effects will depend on self-assembly and change of local environment.…”

Biodegradable Contrast Agents for Photoacoustic Imaging

“…In contrast, this section focuses on polymeric materials for biodegradable contrast agents. For this purpose, the agents are expected to be biocompatible, or at least amphiphilic, possess cleavable bonds, or exhibit the desired optical properties [68][69][70]. As an example, owing to their intrinsic properties, natural polymeric materials such as polysaccharides, phospholipids and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) can be used as biodegradable agents ( Figure 5).…”