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A Silicon-tipped Fiber-optic Sensing Platform with High Resolution and Fast Response
Published on: January 7, 2019
Re(I) complex doped nanofibers for oxygen optical sensing
He Hong1, Long Zhu, Aofang Wang
1Key Laboratory of Eco-Textiles, Ministry of Education, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, Jiangsu, PR China.
Summary
Researchers developed a novel rhenium(I) complex with a PTO ligand for oxygen sensing. Doped into nanofibers, it shows high sensitivity and fast response to molecular oxygen.
Area of Science:
- Coordination Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Photophysics
Background:
- Development of sensitive and selective molecular oxygen sensors is crucial for various applications.
- Rhenium(I) complexes are known for their phosphorescent properties, making them suitable for sensing applications.
- Organic ligands play a key role in tuning the photophysical and electronic properties of metal complexes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and synthesize a novel diamine ligand, PTO (2-(pyridin-2-yl)-5-p-tolyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole).
- To investigate the crystal structure, photophysical, and electronic properties of its corresponding Re(I) complex, Re(CO)(3)(PTO)Br.
- To develop and characterize composite nanofibers for molecular oxygen sensing based on the Re(I) complex.
Main Methods:
- Ligand synthesis and characterization.
- Synthesis and crystallographic analysis of the Re(I) complex.
- Photophysical measurements (emission spectra, lifetime) and theoretical calculations.
- Fabrication of polymer composite nanofibers via doping.
- Oxygen sensing experiments evaluating sensitivity and response time.
- Photostability testing under UV radiation.
Main Results:
- A novel diamine ligand PTO was successfully synthesized.
- The Re(I) complex Re(CO)(3)(PTO)Br exhibits long-lived yellow phosphorescence.
- The phosphorescence of Re(CO)(3)(PTO)Br is sensitive to molecular oxygen.
- Composite nanofibers doped with Re(CO)(3)(PTO)Br demonstrated efficient oxygen sensing.
- The optimal composite nanofibers (600 nm diameter) showed a sensitivity of 4.14 and a response time of 14 seconds.
- The composite nanofibers exhibited good photostability under UV exposure.
Conclusions:
- The novel Re(I) complex Re(CO)(3)(PTO)Br is a promising phosphorescent material for oxygen sensing.
- Doping the complex into polystyrene nanofibers provides a robust platform for developing sensitive and fast oxygen sensors.
- The developed composite nanofibers are photostable, indicating their potential for practical applications.
