Unimolecular thermometers: core–shell polymer bottlebrushes with solvatochromic responses to temperature

Abstract

Core–shell molecular polymer bottlebrushes (MPBs) were designed with a thermoresponsive poly(DEGMA) core and stabilising poly(PEGMA) shell. Solvatochromic fluorophores embedded in the core report polarity changes as it dehydrates and collapses upon heating, yielding a distinct fluorescence response. These stable, unimolecular nanostructures function as aqueous nanoscale sensors.