Establishing structure-function relationships in semiconducting polymer-surfactant nanoparticle blends

Semiconducting polymer nanoparticles (SPNs) have been widely investigated for applications in biosensing, biological imaging, cancer therapeutics due to their unique optoelectronic properties. Due to the inherent hydrophobicity of many common SPNs, surfactants are often co-precipitated with polymer to increase colloidal stability, reduce biofouling and add functional elements. While some trends in surfactant choice and preparation methods can be correlated with optical performance and hydrodynamic size of these SPN systems, little is known about the impact these design choices have on structure and morphology. With extensive experience working with nanoparticles for biosensing and imaging applications, the Stevens group aims to establish a structure-function relationship for common SPN-surfactant systems by combining single-particle and bulk analyses. This proposal aims to conduct a full study of surfactant-polymer blends, using the F8BT polymer as a model system and extending the analysis to establish more general trends with two widely used polymers in the photo-therapeutic space (PCPDTBT and DPPT). Furthermore, we hope to investigate structural changes to SPNs that may occur in a protein-rich environment, with an aim to engineer more robust, efficient and stable imaging and therapeutic agents that can perform well in-vivo.