Light-Switchable and Monodisperse Conjugated Polymer Particles

We present a novel class of light-responsive particles for fluorescence modulation at low switching doses. The particles also exhibit phase-changing and shape-shifting behavior. The monodisperse conjugated polymer particles with incorporated light-switchable azobenzene moieties are prepared in a Suzuki-Miyaura dispersion polymerization. The influence of the molecular structure and the trans-to-cis switching behavior on the photonic performance are investigated. The polymer particles present ideal candidates for responsive organic photonics and as high resolution marker systems for biomedical applications.