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Temperature‐Regulated Fluorescence Characteristics of Supramolecular Assemblies Formed By a Smart Polymer and a Conjugated Polyelectrolyte
Author(s) -
Inal Sahika,
Kölsch Jonas D.,
Chiappisi Leonardo,
Kraft Mario,
Gutacker Andrea,
Janietz Dietmar,
Scherf Ullrich,
Gradzielski Michael,
Laschewsky André,
Neher Dieter
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
macromolecular chemistry and physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.57
H-Index - 112
eISSN - 1521-3935
pISSN - 1022-1352
DOI - 10.1002/macp.201200493
Subject(s) - cationic polymerization , polymer , polyelectrolyte , fluorescence , conjugated system , intermolecular force , supramolecular chemistry , copolymer , polymer chemistry , polythiophene , aqueous solution , photochemistry , smart polymer , chemistry , macromolecule , materials science , chemical engineering , organic chemistry , conductive polymer , molecule , optics , biochemistry , physics , engineering
Aqueous mixtures of a coumarin‐labeled non‐ionic thermoresponsive copolymer and a cationic polythiophene exhibit marked changes in their fluorescence properties upon heating. At room temperature, emission from the label is significantly quenched due to energy transfer to the conjugated polyelectrolyte. Heating the mixture reduces the energy‐transfer efficiency markedly, resulting in a clearly visible change of the emission color. Although the two macromolecules associate strongly at room temperature, the number of interacting sites is largely reduced upon the phase transition. Crucially, the intermolecular association does not suppress the responsiveness of the smart polymer, meaning that this concept should be applicable to chemo‐ or bioresponsive polymers with optical read‐out, for example, as a sensor device.