CO2-triggered fluorescence "turn-on" response of perylene diimide-containing poly(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate)

Abstract

A fluorophore-polymer conjugate, PBI-PDMAEMA, consisting of two arms of CO2-responsive N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate polymer (PDMAEMA) and a center perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic acid bisimide (PBI) fluorophore, has been synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization of N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate from the N,N′-bis{2-[2-[(2-bromo-2- methylpropanoyl)oxy]ethoxy]ethyl}perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic acid bisimide initiators. This fluorophore-polymer conjugate exhibits a colorimetric change and a fluorescent "turn-on" response to the presence of CO2 in aqueous solutions. Upon removal of adsorbed CO2 by N2 degassing, this CO2 chemosensor is completely recoverable. The application of this fluorophore-polymer conjugate in determining the concentration of CO2 in carbonated beverages was demonstrated. © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2013.