Preparation and characterization of electrospun fluorescent fiber mats as temperature sensors using various polymers

In this study six electrospun fluorescent fiber mats were fabricated using a temperature-sensitive fluorescent dye, a ruthenium complex (tris(4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline) ruthenium(II) dichloride, (Ru(dpp)3)), each with one of six different polymers of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyurethane-based hydrogel HydroMed D4 (D4), polyacrylonitrile (PAN), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) (PSAN), and poly (acrylonitrile-co-methyl methacrylate) (PANMM). The electrospun fluorescent fiber mats were characterized as fluorescence temperature sensors in aqueous solution and gaseous environment. The electrospun fluorescent fiber mat fabricated from PAN showed good stability over 100 days, short response time (i.e. 4-5 min), and good reversibility in aqueous solution from 5 to 60 degrees C, whereas the electrospun fiber mat from PMMA showed relatively high sensitivity and good selectivity in air. These two electrospun fluorescent fiber mats were tested as non-invasive sensors for measuring temperature in biological and environmental processes.

Automated summary

This study fabricated six electrospun fluorescent fiber mats using a temperature-sensitive fluorescent dye and six different polymers. The electrospun fiber mats were characterized as fluorescence temperature sensors and showed good stability, short response time, and good reversibility in aqueous solution (PAN) and high sensitivity and selectivity in air (PMMA). These two mats were tested as non-invasive sensors for measuring temperature in biological and environmental processes.