Full Citation: Fluorescence Analysis of Thermoresponsive Polymers. A.G. Ryder and C. Morris, Reviews in Fluorescence 2015 ,
Annual Volumes, Vol. 8, pp. 97-126, (2015). ISBN: 978-3-319-24607-9 (Hardcover), 978-3-319-24609-3 (ebook) Springer.
Page 1 of 31
FLUORESCENCE ANALYSIS OF THERMORESPONSIVE POLYMERS.
Cheryl Morris and Alan G. Ryder*.
Nanoscale Biophotonics Laboratory, School of Chemistry, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland.
*
Corresponding Author: Alan G. Ryder, School of Chemistry, National University of Ireland Galway,
Galway, Ireland. Tel: 353-(0)91-492943; Email: alan.ryder@nuigalway.ie
This is the corrected Author Version: The definitive version is that published by Springer.
1 ABSTRACT.
The use of microscale thin polymer films is widespread in biomedical science and engineering, with applications in
areas such as tissue engineering, drug delivery, microfluidic devices, bio-adhesion mediators, and bio-actuators.
Much attention is devoted to the use of functional polymers that display stimuli-responsive behavior with the
intention of providing “smart” coatings. One potential example is the use of thin thermoresponsive polymer films
as drug eluting coatings on medical devices, where not only does the polymer function as a drug reservoir but it also
acts as a biocompatibility modulator to improve device performance.
Often these thin polymer coatings have to be applied to complex geometries, which can cause problems for in-situ
analysis. Another important consideration is the fact that these films have large surface area to mass ratios and thus
water uptake can be significant. This is serious because coating stability, device efficacy, and long-term storage are
influenced by the physiochemical properties of the polymer which are modulated by water content. Thus, there is a
need for a rapid, non-contact, non-destructive, analytical method capable of analyzing thermoresponsive polymers in
solution, and in-situ of the solid-state on medical devices. Fluorescence spectroscopy based methods can deal with
both sample types and provide additional benefits in terms of high sensitivity and low probe concentrations, which
provide for minimal sample disruption. This article gives a brief overview of the application of various fluorescence
methods for the physicochemical characterization of thermoresponsive polymers such as poly(Nisopropylacrylamide), PNIPAm.
2 INTRODUCTION.
The use of microscale thin polymer films is widespread in biomedical science and engineering,
with applications in tissue engineering, drug delivery systems, microfluidic devices, bio-adhesion
mediators and bio-actuators [1-14]. The choice of polymer for such applications is very important,
and one area of significant interest has been the development functional polymers that display stimuli-
Annual Volumes, Vol. 8, pp. 97-126, (2015). ISBN: 978-3-319-24607-9 (Hardcover), 978-3-319-24609-3 (ebook) Springer.
Page 1 of 31
FLUORESCENCE ANALYSIS OF THERMORESPONSIVE POLYMERS.
Cheryl Morris and Alan G. Ryder*.
Nanoscale Biophotonics Laboratory, School of Chemistry, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland.
*
Corresponding Author: Alan G. Ryder, School of Chemistry, National University of Ireland Galway,
Galway, Ireland. Tel: 353-(0)91-492943; Email: alan.ryder@nuigalway.ie
This is the corrected Author Version: The definitive version is that published by Springer.
1 ABSTRACT.
The use of microscale thin polymer films is widespread in biomedical science and engineering, with applications in
areas such as tissue engineering, drug delivery, microfluidic devices, bio-adhesion mediators, and bio-actuators.
Much attention is devoted to the use of functional polymers that display stimuli-responsive behavior with the
intention of providing “smart” coatings. One potential example is the use of thin thermoresponsive polymer films
as drug eluting coatings on medical devices, where not only does the polymer function as a drug reservoir but it also
acts as a biocompatibility modulator to improve device performance.
Often these thin polymer coatings have to be applied to complex geometries, which can cause problems for in-situ
analysis. Another important consideration is the fact that these films have large surface area to mass ratios and thus
water uptake can be significant. This is serious because coating stability, device efficacy, and long-term storage are
influenced by the physiochemical properties of the polymer which are modulated by water content. Thus, there is a
need for a rapid, non-contact, non-destructive, analytical method capable of analyzing thermoresponsive polymers in
solution, and in-situ of the solid-state on medical devices. Fluorescence spectroscopy based methods can deal with
both sample types and provide additional benefits in terms of high sensitivity and low probe concentrations, which
provide for minimal sample disruption. This article gives a brief overview of the application of various fluorescence
methods for the physicochemical characterization of thermoresponsive polymers such as poly(Nisopropylacrylamide), PNIPAm.
2 INTRODUCTION.
The use of microscale thin polymer films is widespread in biomedical science and engineering,
with applications in tissue engineering, drug delivery systems, microfluidic devices, bio-adhesion
mediators and bio-actuators [1-14]. The choice of polymer for such applications is very important,
and one area of significant interest has been the development functional polymers that display stimuli-