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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 guest 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 mechanical deformation or -
as shown in the above picture of a polyamide/dye
blend - exposure to moisture.
Under illumination with UV
light, orange (as opposed to green)
photoluminescence identifies regions of the
material that experienced exposure to moisture.
For more information
click here.
Picture: Brent Crenshaw. |
