Hyaluronic acid (HA) forms pericellular coats in many cell types that are involved in the early stages of cell adhesion by interacting with the CD44 receptor. Based on the largely recognized overexpression of the CD44 receptor in tumor tissues, a polybenzofulvene molecular brush has been enveloped into hyaluronan shells to obtain a tri-component polymer brush (TCPB) composed of intrinsically fluorescent backbones bearing nona(ethylene glycol) arms terminated with low molecular weight HA macromolecules. The nanoaggregates obtained in TCPB water dispersions were characterized on the basis of dimensions, zeta potential, and in vitro cell toxicity. This biomimetic multifunctional material bearing HA on the surface of its cylindrical brush architecture showed promising prerequisites for the preparation of nanostructured drug delivery systems.

Two new polymers envelop a benzothiadiazole dye by π-stacking interactions and a complete FRET is obtained.

Two new benzofulvene derivatives bearing two or three methoxy substituents on the benzene ring were synthesized and induced to polymerize spontaneously in order to investigate the photophysical and electronic properties of the corresponding polymers. The photophysical features of the newly synthesized polymers suggested a high degree of π-stacking both in the solid state and in diluted solutions, and the large Stokes shift was interpreted in terms of an efficient energy transfer within the excimer. Absorption and emission features in the solid state were found to be similar to those in diluted solutions and the stable PL quantum yield was considered a promising feature with regard to the potential applications of the polymers in light emitting devices. Finally, the remarkable hole mobility shown by poly-4,5,6-MO-BF3k along with the enhancing effect of the methoxy substituents in the charge mobility opens up new routes to the development of materials potentially useful in optoelectronics.