HIGH-TEMPERATURE, OXYGEN-RESISTANT MOLECULAR FLUORESCENCE THERMOMETERS

Four strongly emitting fluorescent molecules have been identified as e ffective liquid-phase thermometers for use at temperatures as high as 175 degrees C under oxygen-saturated conditions, In each case, the the rmometry is based on shifts and/or changes in the shape of the floresc ence emission with temperature. The four molecules and the temperature ranges tested were POPOP [1,4-di(2-(5-phenyloxazoyl)benzene], 25-150 degrees C; NPO [2-(1-naphthyl)-5-phenyloxazole], 25-173 degrees C; BTB P N,N-bis(2,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)-3,4,9,10-perylene dicarboximide], 2 5-173 degrees C; and BPB [benzo(ghi)perylene], 25-171 degrees C. Six o ther laser dyes were tested and were found to be unsatisfactory.