Multicolor, large-area fluorescence sensing through oligothiophene-self-assembled monolayers

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Supramolecular Chemistry
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) are crucial for surface functionalization.
• Controlling fluorescence emission from SAMs is challenging.
• Developing new sensing platforms requires innovative material strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel strategy for generating multicolour fluorescence patterns using SAMs.
• To demonstrate tunable emission colors of SAMs across the visible spectrum.
• To explore the application of these SAMs in cation sensing devices.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing a single proton-sensitive oligothiophene dye for SAM formation on quartz and silicon.
• Manipulating the pH to control the dye's protonation state and thus its fluorescence emission.
• Integrating the patterned SAMs into thin layer cells (TLCs) for device fabrication.

Main Results:

• Successful creation of multicolour fluorescence patterns from a single dye.
• Demonstrated fine-tuning of SAMs emission color, achieving the full visible range and white light.
• Validated the cation sensing capabilities of the integrated SAMs in TLCs.

Conclusions:

• A versatile strategy for multicolour fluorescent SAMs has been established.
• The pH-tunable fluorescence offers a new route for optical material design.
• The developed SAMs show promise for sensitive cation detection in practical applications.