Curcuminoid-Based Responsive Surfaces for Fluorescent BF₃ Detection, a Fast and Reversible Approach.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Chemical Sensing
• Surface Chemistry

Background:

• Curcuminoids (CCMoids) are versatile molecules with potential applications in sensing.
• Developing robust and reusable active surfaces is crucial for advanced sensor technology.
• Immobilization strategies are key to creating functionalized materials for specific applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and synthesize a novel curcuminoid (CCMoid) with pyrene units and a carboxylic group for surface immobilization.
• To develop a methodology for creating reusable CCMoid-based fluorescent surfaces.
• To investigate the sensing capabilities of these surfaces for boron trifluoride (BF3) molecules.

Main Methods:

• Covalent immobilization of the synthesized CCMoid (PA) onto functionalized substrates via its carboxylic acid groups.
• Microcontact printing was employed to create fluorescent patterned surfaces.
• Analysis of the optical properties of the CCMoid-based surfaces upon coordination with BF3 molecules in solution and gas phase.

Main Results:

• Successfully prepared PA-based fluorescent patterned surfaces with emission in the visible region.
• Demonstrated the coordination of BF3 with the keto-enol moiety of surface-anchored PA.
• Observed a fast and reversible shift in optical properties, leading to near-IR emission upon BF3 interaction.

Conclusions:

• The novel CCMoid (PA) is suitable for creating robust, reusable fluorescent surfaces.
• The developed surfaces exhibit unique optical responses to BF3, indicating potential as optical chemosensors.
• The observed BF3-induced spectral changes are intrinsic to the coordinated system, offering specific sensing capabilities.