A Combinatorial Approach for Colorimetric Differentiation of Organic Solvents Based on Conjugated Polymer-Embedded Electrospun Fibers

Abstract

A combinatorial approach for the colorimetric differentiation of organic solvents is developed. A polydiacetylene (PDA)-embedded electrospun fiber mat, prepared with aminobutyric acid-derived diacetylene monomer PCDA-ABA 1, displays colorimetric stability when exposed to common organic solvents. In contrast, a fiber mat prepared with the aniline-derived diacetylene PCDA-AN 2 undergoes a solvent-sensitive color transition. Arrays of PDA-embedded microfibers; are constructed by electrospinning poly(ethylene oxide) solutions containing various ratios of two diacetylene monomers. Unique color patterns are developed when the conjugated polymer-embedded electrospun fiber arrays are exposed to common organic solvents in a manner which enables direct colorimetric differentiation of the tested solvents.