Photochromic Nanostructures; Tools to Detect, Tract Living Cells

Researchers from Iran Polymer and Petrochemical Institute (IPPI) succeeded in the laboratorial production of nanostructures with the ability to change color under UV light and application in various fields, including medicine, production of optical lenses, cell tracing, data storage and security systems.

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2016-01-15

Photochromic materials are considered smart components that are able to change color in the presence of light at determined wavelength. These materials are very important and have various applications in medical aspects, biotechnology, data storage, security documents, production of chemical sensors and optical lenses. The wide range of application is due to their reversible color change and also the change in physical and chemical properties.

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The aim of the research was to produce photochromic compounds and loading them into polymeric nanocarriers. Therefore, efforts were made to produce nanometric tracers to be used in various environments. In addition, papers with ability to change color in the presence of UV were produced by adding these materials to paper tissue.

Problems in the application of fluorescent materials in cellular studies can be overcome by using the same pattern. In fact, when photochromic materials are loaded into a polymeric carrier, they do not release into the living creature when they enter it.

Results of the research showed that optimum amount of spiropyran monomer should be used to produce photochromic polymeric nanoparticles. Otherwise, the optical properties significantly decrease in case lower or higher amount is used. The change in the color of produced papers is significantly different in solvents with different polarities; therefore, they can be used as chemical detectors.

Source: Nanotechnology Now

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