dr. Andrea Pucci: Vapochromic Polymer Films based on Fluorescent Molecular Rotors

Abstract

Vapochromic materials, which display reversible colour changes upon exposure to vapours of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), have rapidly evolved due to their potential application for chemical vapour detection. The detection of VOCs can often occur by the naked eye, thus suggesting vapochromism as a promising tool for environmental monitoring and safety systems at workplaces. Special types of vapochromic molecules are the fluorescent molecular rotors (FMRs). While the application of FMRs as viscosity sensors is widespread, their behaviour within polymer matrices is still under debate. Herein, we report on the emission properties of different type of FMRs dispersed at low loadings (0.05-0.1 wt.%) within transparent thermoplastic matrices as a function of the exposure to different VOCs. The results collected are reported in terms of sensitivity and reproducibility of the vapochromic response and application of these new polymer systems as optical sensors to VOCs is discussed.