title: Polythiophene-based optical sensors for small molecules.
abstract: Water-soluble, regioregular polythiophene (PT) derivatives are conformational sensitive to external stimuli, and their spectral responses are determined by conformation changes, π-π interactions and scattering of visible lights originated from PT aggregates. In this paper, we review the synthesis of water-soluble PTs and their photophysical properties, and then highlight our efforts toward the development of PT-based optical sensors for small molecules. Mechanism studies indicate that the interplay between side-chain steric/electrostatic repulsive and interchain attractive interactions is responsible for the assembly and disassembly of water-soluble PTs in aqueous media. Consequently, the planarization/deplanarization of PT backbones provides the possibility for colorimetric and fluorescent dual detection of small bioanalytes and chemical species.
authors: Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, People's Republic of China. chunli@mail.tsinghua.edu.cn
authors: Chun
authors: C
authors: Li
authors: Gaoquan
authors: G
authors: Shi
mesh_terms: D015374:Biosensing Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D003124:Colorimetry / Q000379:methods*; D005453:Fluorescence; D055095:Optics and Photonics / Q000379:methods*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D012995:Solubility; D055672:Static Electricity; D013876:Thiophenes / Q000737:chemistry*; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers; D013876:Thiophenes; D014867:Water; C066730:polythiophene