Optical sensor based on fluorescent PMMA/PFO electrospun nanofibers for monitoring volatile organic compounds

Author(s)

Terra, Idelma A. A. ^[1] ; Sanfelice, Rafaela C. ^[2] ; Valente, Gustavo T. ^[3] ; Correa, Daniel S. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Embrapa Instrumentacao, Nanotechnol Natl Lab Agr LNNA, BR-13560970 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Triangulo Mineiro UFTM, Inst Ciencias Tecnol & Exatas ICTE, Dept Engn Quim, BR-38064300 Uberaba, MG - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Sao Carlos Inst Phys, POB 369, BR-13560970 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Journal of Applied Polymer Science; v. 135, n. 14 APR 10 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 8

Abstract

The development of polymeric materials with superior electrical and/or optical properties is highly demanded for designing optical gas sensors, where conjugated polymers play an important role due to their -electron conjugation. However, usually the low processability and high cost of these materials hinder technological applications. Here we report on a simple route to develop highly fluorescent electrospun nanofibers of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) containing low contents of polyfluorene (PFO). The PMMA\_PFO nanofibers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis, while the luminescence properties changes were evaluated by exposing the PMMA\_PFO nanofibers to distinct volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including ethanol, toluene, tetrahydrofuran, acetone, dichloromethane, and chloroform. The changes in luminescence properties, specifically fluorescence quenching, of PMMA\_PFO nanofibers were analyzed in terms of conformational changes from glassy-phase to -phase of PFO when the nanofibers were exposed to the VOCs. The developed nanostructured platform showed a suitable response to detect chloroform, with linear responses in the concentration range from 10 to 300 ppm and from 350 to 500 ppm and limits of detection of 47.9 and 15.4 ppm, respectively. The results suggest the PMMA\_PFO electrospun nanofibers are highly potential materials for optical gas sensor applications based on luminescence quenching. (c) 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46128. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/16789-5 - Hybrid nanostructured materials based on conjugated polymers and metallic nanoparticles for sensor applications
• Grantee: Daniel Souza Corrêa
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 17/12174-4 - Development of hybrid polymer nanofibers for agricultural applications
• Grantee: Daniel Souza Corrêa
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants