Seminar: Mechanosensitive fluorescent polymer
by , Martin Krupicka, PhD
Mechanochemistry is dealing with the application of mechanical force on the molecule, which increases energy of the system, and complements the other typical methods of activation, ie. heating, irradiation or application of electric current. The main aim of our work is to design mechoanochemical indicators, which instantly and reversibly change their spectral properties as a function of external force. Experimentally, the force is obtained by covalently binding the indicator into the polymer and applying ultrasound to the solution. The polymer chain is stretched and transduces the force towards the indicator. Currently, the PEG is used due to its avaliablility and solubility. Nevertheless, the choice of polymer is almost arbitrary and could open a path to mechanosensitive materials. The first synthetically obtained molecule in the series is fluorescent tetraphenylethylene, decorated via click reaction by two 10 kDa PEG chains. Change in emission spectra was seen upon sonication of the solution.
