ABSTRACT
The convergence of nanochemistry and controlled polymerization techniques offer powerful tools for designing hierarchically organized polymer architectures for nanotechnology and nanomedicine. Synthetic polymers are promising building blocks due to their low cost, high processability, and modular functionality. By incorporating small-molecule recognition units into polymer chains, it is possible to target complex and dynamic macromolecule aggregates that may eventually mimic the structure and function of biological entities, from nucleic acids and proteins up to cells, and entire living organisms. Nanoparticles (NPs) and nanodots (d < − 30 nm) of conjugated polymers (CPs) have received considerable attention over the last decade (2005–2014) because of their potential to realize brighter luminescence, facile processing, and enhanced device efficiency. In medicine, densely packed CP nanospheres have exhibited higher fluorescence lifetime, emmission rates, and photostability than single molecular dyes. Nanospheres of CPs have enhanced the device performance of organic photovoltaic devices by forming nanoscale domains in thin films. With surface functionalization, bioconjugation, or hybridization, nanospheres have been explored for biological applications, such as labeling, imaging, sensing, and drug delivery. In this entry, we discuss about preparation and applications of various NPs and nanodots of CPs.
