POLY 439 |
| Water soluble poly(paraphenylenethynlene)s have received much attention and have shown great promise as highly sensitive fluorescent sensory materials for chemical analytes and biomolecules. However, water-soluble PPEs often suffer from low quantum yields, aggregation in aqueous solutions, non-specific interactions with common ions, and high background fluorescence generated from cells and nutrient media. In an attempt to overcome the limitations of water-soluble PPEs, the research in the Bunz lab has focused on synthesizing functionalized PPEs with high quantum yields, large Stern-Volmer constants, minimal aggregation in aqueous solutions, few common ion interactions, and low background fluorescence. In our group, we have utilized water-soluble PPEs for the detection of proteins, bacteria, viruses, and most recently explored the utilization of conjugated polymer-nanoparticle conjugates for biosensory applications. Therefore, the focus of my research has involved the synthesis and optimization of water-soluble PPEs in aqueous solutions and the improvement of existing fluorescent biomolecule and analyte detection methods. |
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Conjugated Polymer Materials and Hybrids: Synthesis, Macromolecular Assemblies, and Nanostructures
6:00 PM-8:00 PM, Tuesday, August 21, 2007 BCEC -- Exhibit Hall - B2, Poster
Sci-Mix
Division of Polymer Chemistry |