Phosphorescent Oxygen Sensors Based on Nanostructured Polyolefin Substrates

Abstract

New phosphorescent oxygen-sensitive materials based on nanostructured high density polyethylene and polypropylene films are described. The polymer substrates undergo treatment by a solvent crazing process to create a well-developed network of controlled, nanometer-size pores. Indicator dye molecules are then embedded by physical entrapment in such nanostructures which subsequently can be healed. Such sensors demonstrate improved working characteristics and allow simple, cost-efficient production and disposable use. They are well suited for large-scale applications such as nondestructive control of residual oxygen and "smart" packaging.

Oxygen-Sensitive Phosphorescent Nanomaterials Produced from High-Density Polyethylene Films by Local Solvent-Crazing

“…Thus, annealing at elevated temperatures (close to T m ) is known to have a beneficial effect on solvent-crazed O 2 sensors, stabilizing their characteristics and response to O 2 . 16 Indeed, we observed enhanced phosphorescent signals, likely due to dissolution of aggregates and/or elimination of internal quenching of the dye. Lifetime and intensity signals in N 2 attained higher values and O 2 quenching was moderately increased.…”

Optical methods for sensing and imaging oxygen: materials, spectroscopies and applications

“…Papkovsky et al 448 described oxygen sensitive materials based on nanostructured films of high-density polyethylene and polypropylene. The polymer substrates were subjected to solvent crazing to produce well-defined 3D networks of nanopores (size o15 nm) and with a volume porosity of up to 60%.…”

Solid-state oxygen sensors based on phosphorescent diiodo-borondipyrromethene dye

“…Thin film coatings of organic homopolymers including polystyrene, PSu, ethyl cellulose casted on solid support have been widely used as polymer hosts because of the high photo and thermal stability, moderate to high oxygen permeability of the polymers [1]. PP, polyethylene films having good mechanical and gas permeability properties but incompatible with common fabrication technologies (casting of polymeric cocktails) have also been used for direct dye incorporation by solvent-crazing method [12,13]. Previous studies from our group demonstrated the utility of non-woven polyolefinic fabric materials as solid-state oxygen sensors [14,15].…”