Magnetically Responsive Inorganic/Polydiacetylene Nanohybrids

Abstract

A direct method for the generation of magnetically responsive conjugated polymer supramolecules is described. By immobilizing magnetite nanoparticles (MNP) on the surface of polydiacetylene (PDA) supramolecules, an inorganic/conjugated polymer hybrid system results that enables the incorporation of an important property (magnetism) to an attractive class of colorimetric PDA sensors. Benefits of this new system include: (1) ease of preparation, (2) variability in diacetylene labeling of MNPs, (3) diversity in conjugated PDA morphologies, (4) facile isolation process, and (5) immobilization of the PDA without altering the colorimetric (sensory) properties. It is demonstrated that PDA/MNP systems offer advantages in applications including film formation, separation, and sensing.