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Because of excimer formation,
the emission characteristics of blends of
various polymers and minute amounts of
photoluminescent oligo(phenylene vinylene)s (OPV)
depend on the extent of aggregation of the
luminescent sensor molecules, which in turn can
depend on a variety of external stimuli. This effect may be exploited
for the design of molecular sensors that are
easily integrated into a polymer of interest and
allow one to monitor exposure above a threshold
temperature or -
as shown in the above picture of a
poly-ethylene/sensor blend - mechanical
deformation. Under illumination with UV
light, green (as opposed to orange)
photoluminescence identifies regions of the
material that experienced deformation.
For more information
click here.
Picture: Brent Crenshaw. |
