Pyrene-1-butyric acid-doped polyaniline for fluorescence quenching-based oxygen sensing

The synthesis of pyrene-1-butyric acid (PBA)-doped polyaniline (PANI) and its oxygen sensing properties, through fluorescence quenching, are reported. The structures of both undoped PANI (emeraldine) and PBA-doped PANI are investigated by means of Fourier Transform InfraRed (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The O
₂
sensing capability of the synthesized layer is demonstrated through fluorescence spectroscopy performed at different air pressure values. PBA-doped PANI is expected to lead to a fluorophore with better stability and reliability than free PBA. This could bring real benefits to the overall functioning of industrial O2 sensors based on fluorescence quenching.