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 2 of 31
responsive behavior with the intention of providing “smart” applications (Figure 1) in the biomedical
field [8,15,16]. One potential use of thin thermoresponsive polymer films is as coatings on drug
eluting coronary stents, where not only does the polymer function as a drug reservoir (providing antirestenosis therapy) but it also acts as a biocompatibility modulator to improve device performance
[5,10,17,18].
In many applications, these polymer coatings are very thin (from m to nm) and are formed on
complex geometries, which may cause problems for in-situ analysis.
Another important
consideration is the fact that these films have large surface area to mass ratios and water uptake is an
important factor to consider. This is serious because issues such as device manufacturing, coating
stability, device efficacy, and long-term storage are influenced by the physiochemical properties of the
polymer [19]. Thus, there is a need for the non-contact, non-destructive, analysis of these types of
thermoresponsive polymers in solution and in-situ for fabricated films/devices. Optical spectroscopy,
and in particular fluorescence based methods, which offer the combination of high sensitivity and low
probe concentrations, provide the best solution for these analytical challenges
Figure 1: Potential uses of stimuli-responsive polymers in biotechnology and medicine. Adapted with
permission from ref. [15]. Copyright © 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd., all rights reserved.
This article gives a brief overview of the application of fluorescence methods to the
characterization of thermoresponsive polymers and in particular poly(N-isopropylacrylamide),
PNIPAm. It is not meant to provide a comprehensive or detailed review of the use of fluorescence
Annual Volumes, Vol. 8, pp. 97-126, (2015). ISBN: 978-3-319-24607-9 (Hardcover), 978-3-319-24609-3 (ebook) Springer.
Page 2 of 31
responsive behavior with the intention of providing “smart” applications (Figure 1) in the biomedical
field [8,15,16]. One potential use of thin thermoresponsive polymer films is as coatings on drug
eluting coronary stents, where not only does the polymer function as a drug reservoir (providing antirestenosis therapy) but it also acts as a biocompatibility modulator to improve device performance
[5,10,17,18].
In many applications, these polymer coatings are very thin (from m to nm) and are formed on
complex geometries, which may cause problems for in-situ analysis.
Another important
consideration is the fact that these films have large surface area to mass ratios and water uptake is an
important factor to consider. This is serious because issues such as device manufacturing, coating
stability, device efficacy, and long-term storage are influenced by the physiochemical properties of the
polymer [19]. Thus, there is a need for the non-contact, non-destructive, analysis of these types of
thermoresponsive polymers in solution and in-situ for fabricated films/devices. Optical spectroscopy,
and in particular fluorescence based methods, which offer the combination of high sensitivity and low
probe concentrations, provide the best solution for these analytical challenges
Figure 1: Potential uses of stimuli-responsive polymers in biotechnology and medicine. Adapted with
permission from ref. [15]. Copyright © 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd., all rights reserved.
This article gives a brief overview of the application of fluorescence methods to the
characterization of thermoresponsive polymers and in particular poly(N-isopropylacrylamide),
PNIPAm. It is not meant to provide a comprehensive or detailed review of the use of fluorescence