Molecules and materials for the optical detection of explosives and toxic chemicals

Optical chemosensing, especially using amplifying fluorescent polymers, can allow for the highly sensitive and selective vapor-phase detection of both explosives and highly toxic chemicals, including chemical warfare agents. There are varieties of analyte targets, however, that remain challenging for detection by these methods. Research towards improving this technology has obvious implications for homeland security and soldier survivability. This dissertation details the development of new molecules, materials, and transduction schemes aimed at improving both the versatility and sensitivity of optical chemical detection. Chapter One provides an introduction to the field of fluorescent polymer sensors, principally focusing on their utility in the detection of nitroaromatic explosives. Brief descriptions of other analytical methods used for explosives detection are also included. Chapter Two describes the synthesis and optical properties of a new class of conjugated polymers that contain alkyl-amino groups directly bound to the arene rings of poly(phenylene ethynylene)s and poly(fluorene)s. These materials displayed red-shifted absorption and emission spectra, large Stokes Shifts, as well as long excited state lifetimes.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Chemistry.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2006

Author dc:creator

• Thomas, Samuel William, III

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Timothy M. Swager.

• Chemistry.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/36260

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/36260