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Reversible electrospun fibers containing spiropyran for acid and base vapor sensing

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Abstract

Among the various possible structural modifications spiropyrans may be subject to, ones containing alkyl sulfonates groups are commonly classified as photoacids. Both alkyl sulfonates spiropyrans named SON and SOH were structurally characterized and their acido- and photochromic properties were studied by UV–visible spectroscopy. Electrospun poly-ε-caprolactone (PCL) fibers were obtained, in which SON or SOH were incorporated with the goal of detecting acid and base vapors. PCL fibers containing the derivatives SON and SOH were successfully obtained (0.8 μm range), capable of acting as colorimetric vapor sensors according to the acidochromic properties of the spiropyrans. PCL-SON fibers presented quick vapor sensing capability, with colorimetric change within 10 s of exposure. Scanning electronic microscopy was crucial to characterize the morphology of these fibers before and after being used in the sensing process. This material could be reversibly reutilized in the sensing of acids and bases vapors according to the results presented.

Graphical abstract

Macroscopic color change for electrospun fibers based on acid or base vapors

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Derived data supporting the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author on request.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by CNPq (Grant Nos. 431133/2018-2; 437418/2018-9; 308278/2020-8; 309720/2020-6 and scholarship 157706/2019-2) and FAPEMIG (Grant Nos. APQ-01293-14; APQ 02052/21 and APQ-00210-21) and FINEP (CT-INFRA 01/2013-REF 0633/13). This work was also supported by Biosmart Nanotechnology Ltda agreement with UNIFEI (process number 23088.015061/2019-72). Authors would like to thank LIPq-LAREMAR facilities from Department of Chemistry from UFMG for NMR support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratório de Sistemas Poliméricos e Supramoleculares (LSPS)—Instituto de Física e Química, Universidade Federal de Itajubá (UNIFEI), Itajubá, MG, 37500-903, Brazil

    Flávio B. Miguez & Frederico B. De Sousa

  2. Grupo de Química Analítica e Quimiometria (GQAQ)—Departamento de Química—ICE, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (UFJF), Juiz de Fora, MG, 36036-900, Brazil

    Olívia B. O. Moreira & Marcone A. L. de Oliveira

  3. Instituto de Ciências da Vida (ICV), Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Campus Governador Valadares (UFJF-GV), Governador Valadares, MG, 35010-177, Brazil

    Ângelo M. L. Denadai

  4. Núcleo de Espectroscopia E Estrutura Molecular—Departamento de Química—ICE, Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (UFJF), Juiz de Fora, MG, 36036-900, Brazil

    Luiz F. C. de Oliveira

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  1. Flávio B. Miguez
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Correspondence to Frederico B. De Sousa.

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Supplementary file1 (DOCX 5088 KB)

Supplementary file2 (MPEG 16848 KB) Movie S1 Reversibility acid and base vapors detection for PCL-SON

Supplementary file3 (MPEG 26044 KB) Movie S2 Reversibility acid and base vapors detection for PCL-SOH

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Miguez, F.B., Moreira, O.B.O., de Oliveira, M.A.L. et al. Reversible electrospun fibers containing spiropyran for acid and base vapor sensing. Journal of Materials Research 38, 547–556 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1557/s43578-022-00842-5

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