Photophysical Properties Of A Distyrylbenzene-related Color-change Fluorophore

• Author / Creator

  Wang, Hui

• This thesis mainly focuses on the photophysical properties and potential sens- ing applications of a designed fluorescent distyrylbenzene-related fluorophore. This fluorophore, which we refer to as “P4VB” in this work shows a large fluorescence spectral shift upon exposure to certain local environments. In this work, the response to protonation is shown to result in a blue-to-orange shift in the visible emitted color. The main research in this thesis then focuses on how one might develop this color-shifting fluorophore for several possi- ble applications, mainly relating to sensing. We start by examining how the fluorescence polarization can be controlled by incorporation of P4VB into a zinc-based metal-organic framework. Next, we show how P4VB can be used for paper-based carbon dioxide sensing, which is based on the formation and detection of carbonic acid in a humid carrier gas. Finally, we show how the sensing capacity can be dramatically enhanced by taking advantage of analyte partitioning into P4VB-loaded oil droplets. All of these methods capitalize on the ratiometric sensing approach afforded by a color-change fluorophore. We finally discuss the limitations of fluorescence color-shift sensing and potential further developments.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Fluorophore

• Graduation date

  Fall 2022

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Doctor of Philosophy

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/r3-p1v4-s077

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Library with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.