Roles of head group architecture and side chain length on colorimetric response of polydiacetylene vesicles to temperature, ethanol and pH

► The colorimetric response of polydiacetylene vesicles to different stimuli is investigated. ► Shortening the alkyl side chain leads to a faster colorimetric response. ► Poly(AEPCDA) vesicles exhibit an unusual multi-step color-transition. ► Our results are important for designing functional PDA vesicles.