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Functional nanoparticles through π-conjugated polymer self-assembly

Nature Reviews Materials volume 6, pages 7–26 (2021)Cite this article

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Abstract

The development of π-conjugated polymers has provided a gateway to a variety of new functional organic materials reminiscent of inorganic semiconductors. Nanoparticles based on π-conjugated polymers are promising for a broad range of emerging applications. In this Review, we provide an overview of the methods used to synthesize π-conjugated-polymer nanoparticles, with a focus on recently developed self-assembly and microfluidic routes. We also illustrate the use of the resulting nanoparticles in applications such as electronics and optoelectronics, biomedical imaging and therapy, photocatalysis and sensing. Finally, we discuss current challenges and possible directions for future research on this promising class of nanomaterials.

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Fig. 1: Preparative methods for conjugated-polymer nanoparticles.
Fig. 2: Self-assembled morphologies of amphiphilic π-conjugated block copolymer nanoparticles.
Fig. 3: Living crystallization-driven self-assembly.
Fig. 4: Imaging and phototherapies with conjugated-polymer nanoparticles.
Fig. 5: Examples of conjugated-polymer nanoparticles engineered to respond to or trigger biological events.
Fig. 6: Photocatalytic hydrogen generation using conjugated-polymer nanoparticles.
Fig. 7: Stimuli-responsive systems based on conjugated-polymer nanoparticles.

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Acknowledgements

I.M. thanks the Canadian Government for a C150 Research Chair, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada for a Discovery Grant and the University of Victoria for start-up funds.

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  1. Department of Chemistry, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

    Liam R. MacFarlane, Huda Shaikh, J. Diego Garcia-Hernandez, Marcus Vespa, Tomoya Fukui & Ian Manners

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MacFarlane, L.R., Shaikh, H., Garcia-Hernandez, J.D. et al. Functional nanoparticles through π-conjugated polymer self-assembly. Nat Rev Mater 6, 7–26 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41578-020-00233-4

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