Organic semiconductors for photothermal therapy and photoacoustic imaging.

In recent years, semiconducting polymer nanoparticles (SPNs) have attracted considerable attention because of their outstanding characteristics such as higher light and thermal stability. It is widely used in the field of biomedicine such as photoacoustic (PA) imaging, photodynamic (PDT) and photothermal (PTT). Photoacoustic imaging, a novel imaging modality based on photoacoustic effect, shows great promise in biomedical applications. The SPNs which possess a strong optical absorbance in the visible and near-infrared (NIR) region, can be a promising candidate for in vivo PTT and PA imaging. In this paper, we introduce the preparation of organic conjugated polymer fluorescent nanoparticles by aqueous phase. Then we discuss the application of water-dispersible conjugated polymer nanoparticles in PA and PTT. Finally, we discuss the opportunities and challenges for the development of organic conjugated polymers nanoparticles.