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Using the over-1000 nm near-infrared (OTN-NIR) dye IR-1061-loaded polymer micelles, IR-1061-loaded PEG-b-PCL micelles (OTN-PNPs) were successfully obtained using a simple one-pot preparation method. The OTN-PNPs showed strong OTN-NIR emission under physiological conditions. Furthermore, the OTN-PNPs were readily biodegradable; thus, it is anticipated that the renal clearance of the degraded material will occur after imaging experiments. Moreover, in vivo imaging of a live mouse was successfully performed. The blood vessels of a live mouse could be clearly illuminated using the OTN-NIR emission of OTN-PNPs. Therefore, the OTN-PNPs are promising candidates for NIR imaging probes.
Novel aromatic copolymers based on a thiazolothiazole (TT) unit were designed and synthesized as proton exchange membranes for polymer electrolyte fuel cells. Even a small amount of the TT unit (0.1–1 mol%) considerably affected the sizes of the hydrophilic and hydrophobic domains of the membrane surface. Furthermore, the TT-based membranes exhibited higher proton conductivities and lower activation energies than those of the parent membrane under various relative humidity conditions.
A robust, redox-active radical polymer, poly(TEMPO-substituted norbornene), was surface-grafted on an indium tin oxide glass substrate. The polymer brush functioned as a redox-induced ‘command surface’ to reversibly switch the alignment of chiral nematic liquid crystals and their light reflection with wavelength selectivity.
