Synthesis and Applications of Fluorescent Polymers as Fluorescent Probes

Fluorescent probes possess low limit, high sensitivity, and wide response range, etc. but they have some disadvantages including contamination to the detection system, limitation of repeated use. Polymers combined with fluorescent probes could overcome these drawbacks and they have been widely used in chemosensor, biological imaging and PH/temperature sensor for their unique favorable mechanical properties and good workability. In this review, we mainly reviewed organic and inorganic fluorescent probe polymers, focusing on synthetic methods, properties and applications. Their specific structural designs, synthetic strategies and different polymeric material on the optical properties and applications are subsequently summarized. With further advances in the design and synthesis of multifunctional fluorescent polymers with high quality, the widespread application of them could be expected in advanced bioimaging, ultrasensitive molecular diagnosis and novel light-emitting nanodevices.