Forming luminescent oligomer nanoparticles via condensation polymerization: A strategy for real-time visualized detection of hydrazine in solution and gas phase

Abstract

In this work, we demonstrate a new strategy for the real-time visualized detection of hydrazine in various phases based on the formation of luminescent oligomer nanoparticles via condensation polymerization between hydrazine and a dialdehyde-containing molecule. An investigation was performed by using a phenoxazine derivative APPO containing two symmetrical terminal aldehyde groups as the probe. The probe exhibited real-time and highly selective detection ability for hydrazine among various anions, metal ions and other amines with a low detection limit of 5.39 ppb. Photoluminescence spectra, 1H NMR spectra, dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscopy analysis indicated the formed luminescent oligomer nanoparticles with average sizes above 500 nm, which led to an obvious ratiometric fluorescence change (I436 nm/I532 nm). Moreover, portable test papers based on APPO were successfully applied to the detection of hydrazine solution and vapor.