Polymeric assemblies and nanoparticles with stimuli-responsive fluorescence emission characteristics

Fluorescent polymeric assemblies and nanoparticles (NPs) of nanoscale dimensions have become a focus of intensive investigations during the past few decades due to combined advantages such as improved biocompatibility, water dispersibility, stimuli-responsiveness, facile integration into optical detection devices, and the ability of further functionalization. In addition, the chemical composition and morphology of polymeric assemblies and NPs can be modulated via synthetic approaches, leading to the precise spatial organization of multiple fluorophores. Thus, polymeric assemblies and NPs have been utilized to optimize the photoluminescent properties of covalently or physically attached fluorophores and facilely modulate the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) processes when the polymeric matrix is endowed with stimuli-responsiveness. These fascinating fluorescent polymeric assemblies and NPs offer unique and versatile platforms for the construction of novel detection, imaging, biolabeling, and optoelectronic systems. This feature article focuses on the recent developments of polymeric assemblies and NPs-based stimuli-tunable fluorescent systems and highlights their future practical applications with selected literature reports.