Organic fluorescent thermometers: Highlights from 2013 to 2017

Fluorescent thermometers display great advantages over conventional analytical methods in terms of its high sensitivity, fast response, simple operation, high spatial resolution, non-destructive inspection, as well as potential bioimaging applications. It has emerged as an effective analytical tool particularly for applications in large surface area, microfluids and biological systems. This review focuses on the recent research progress of fluorescence thermometers based on organic materials, including organic small molecules, macromolecules, and nanoassemblies. The importance of the thermometers, design principles, fluorescence response modes, as well as their biological applications are all thoroughly described in this review. Finally, the sensing performances of thermometers are analyzed highlighting the challenges which need to be addressed urgently and future directions in design and application of organic fluorescent thermometers. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.