Recent advances of polymeric photonic crystals in molecular recognition

Photonic crystals are widely used in sensors, photocatalysts, remote communication, and optical computing on account of their unique photonic band gap and photonic localization. In the past decades, efficient visual detection of molecules and ions has been deeply studied through the combination of photonic crystals and different recognition technologies. Generally, the fabrication of molecular or ion recognition sensors involves the design of binding units for specific targets and signal units for different responses. Among many signal units, optical signal units are one of the most widely used in material recognition, ideally a visual readout. In this paper, recent advances of polymeric photonic crystals in the field of molecular recognition based on molecular imprinting, pH response, enzyme catalysis, and host-guest interaction are summarized and emphasized, and their future perspectives are also highlighted.

Automated summary

This paper summarizes recent advances in polymeric photonic crystals in the field of molecular recognition based on molecular imprinting, pH response, enzyme catalysis, and host-guest interaction, and highlights their future perspectives.