Issue 45, 2023

Fluorescence-readout as a powerful macromolecular characterisation tool

Abstract

The last few decades have witnessed significant progress in synthetic macromolecular chemistry, which can provide access to diverse macromolecules with varying structural complexities, topology and functionalities, bringing us closer to the aim of controlling soft matter material properties with molecular precision. To reach this goal, the development of advanced analytical techniques, allowing for micro-, molecular level and real-time investigation, is essential. Due to their appealing features, including high sensitivity, large contrast, fast and real-time response, as well as non-invasive characteristics, fluorescence-based techniques have emerged as a powerful tool for macromolecular characterisation to provide detailed information and give new and deep insights beyond those offered by commonly applied analytical methods. Herein, we critically examine how fluorescence phenomena, principles and techniques can be effectively exploited to characterise macromolecules and soft matter materials and to further unravel their constitution, by highlighting representative examples of recent advances across major areas of polymer and materials science, ranging from polymer molecular weight and conversion, architecture, conformation to polymer self-assembly to surfaces, gels and 3D printing. Finally, we discuss the opportunities for fluorescence-readout to further advance the development of macromolecules, leading to the design of polymers and soft matter materials with pre-determined and adaptable properties.

Graphical abstract: Fluorescence-readout as a powerful macromolecular characterisation tool

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
04 aug 2023
Accepted
10 okt 2023
First published
20 okt 2023
This article is Open Access

All publication charges for this article have been paid for by the Royal Society of Chemistry
Creative Commons BY license

Chem. Sci., 2023,14, 12815-12849

Fluorescence-readout as a powerful macromolecular characterisation tool

X. Wu and C. Barner-Kowollik, Chem. Sci., 2023, 14, 12815 DOI: 10.1039/D3SC04052F

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence. You can use material from this article in other publications without requesting further permissions from the RSC, provided that the correct acknowledgement is given.

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