A series of conjugated polymer-based nanoparticles having far-red/near infrared emission ranges are disclosed. Cross coupling methods to prepare the conjugated polymers and methods of nanoparticle preparation are also discussed. The conjugated polymer nanoparticles are used as FR/NIR fluorescent probes in in vitro and in vivo biosensing and bioimaging applications, and are also used in photoacoustic imaging as contrast agents. Finally, use of the conjugated polymer nanoparticles in photothermal therapy is described.
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