Spiropyran‐Conjugated Pluronic as a Dual Responsive Colorimetric Detector

• DOI: 10.1002/marc.201200416
• Publication Date: 2012-08-21T11:15:38Z
• Authors: Yeon Jeong Oh; Jeong A. Nam; Abdullah Al‐Nahain; Sangkug Lee; Insik In; Sung Young Park
• Keywords: Isomerization; Indoles; Brushes; Light; Cell Survival; Ultraviolet Rays; Poly(N-Isopropylacrylamide); Biocompatible Materials; 01 natural sciences; Cell Line; Polyethylene Glycols; Thermoresponsive Copolymer; Humans; Benzopyrans; Modified Cationic Surfactants; Micelles; Sensor; Microscopy, Confocal; Hydrogels; Nitro Compounds; 0104 chemical sciences; Spectrometry, Fluorescence; Propylene Glycols; Nanoparticles; Photochromic Spiropyran

AbstractNovel spiropyran‐conjugated Pluronic [polyethylene oxide (PEO)‐b‐polypropylene oxide (PPO)‐b‐polyethylene oxide (PEO)] micelles are developed as a new colorimetric detector showing photo‐ or thermo‐switchable behavior. Facile conjugation of spiropyran to Pluronic was confirmed by 1H NMR, UV–Vis, and Fluorescence spectroscopy. A switchable photoluminescence is found depending on the irradiation with either UV or visible light, and temperature resulting from structural isomerization of spiropyran between spiropyran (SP) and merocyanine (MC) form. Cytotoxicity of the spiropyran‐conjugated Pluronic (SP‐PL) was evaluated following an MTT assay, whereas photo responsiveness of spiropyran within the micelles was determined by confocal laser scanning microscopy.