Turning the heat on conjugated polyelectrolytes: an off–on ratiometric nanothermometer

Abstract

We report a self-referenced ratiometric nanothermometer based on short conjugated polyelectrolytes. An amphiphilic macromolecule destabilizes the polymer π–π stacking and makes it possible to shift the equilibrium between the less emissive aggregated state (520 nm) and the brighter individual chain (450 nm) within 20.0 °C and 70.0 °C.