Abstract
Aliphatic polyketone (PK) films physically mixed with moderate amounts (0.6 wt%) of 4,4′‐bis(2‐benzoxazolyl)stilbene (BBS) fluorophores were demonstrated to be sensitive to volatile organic compounds. Notably, BBS/PK blends were prepared by means of a continuous 1‐step extrusion process in a pilot‐scale twin screw extruder and compression molded followed by rapid quenching in liquid nitrogen to get thin films (thickness of 150 μm) containing molecularly dispersed blue emissive BBS fluorophores. The 0.6 wt% BBS/PK films demonstrated significant vapochromism when exposed to volatile organic compounds characterized by favorable interactions with the polymer matrix such as chloroform. Solvent absorption caused PK matrix plasticization, thus increasing BBS mobility and triggering the self‐associations of molecules into bluish green‐emissive excimers/aggregates thanks to the emersion of the typical band at 500 nm. This phenomenon preferentially involves the BBS/PK film layers close to the air‐contact surface without affecting the bulk characteristics of the PK matrix. The easy modulation of the luminescent properties of PK films by varying the supramolecular organization of BBS dispersed molecules by chemical perturbations, and the use of melt‐processing procedures suggests the use for the first time of aliphatic PK in the development of smart materials for sensing applications.
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