Tuning the Sensitivity and Dynamic Range of Optical Oxygen Sensing Films by Blending Various Polymer Matrices

In this work, eight different types of optical oxygen sensing films were prepared by impregnating indicator and matrix solution on the surface of a polypropylene microporous filter membrane. The polymer matrix of the sensing films was ethyl cellulose (EC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and their blends with different mixing ratios. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), laser confocal microscopy, and fluorescence spectrometer were used to investigate the morphologies and optical properties of the sensing films. Phase delay measurements under different oxygen partial pressures (P_O2) and temperatures were applied to investigate the analytical performances of the sensing film for gaseous O₂ monitoring. Results show that the response time of all the sensing films was extremely fast. The sensitivities and dynamic ranges of the sensing films with the blended polymer matrix were separately decreased and increased as the EC/PMMA ratio decreased, and the S-V curve of the sensing films blended with equal content of EC and PMMA exhibited good linearity under different temperatures, showing a promising prospect in practical application.