Synthesis, characterization, and first application of high molecular weight polyacrylic acid derivatives possessing perfluorinated side chains and chemically linked pyrene labels

The authors describe a new and unique nanosensing system: a derivative of p oly(acrylic acid) (PAA, M-w = 1.250.000) possessing a comb-like structure. This structure is achieved by attaching perfluorinated (-O-C8F17) functions and chemically linked pyrene fluorescent units to the PAA backbone. The av erage composition of the new materials was investigated by UV/vis absorptio n spectroscopy, DOG, and elementary (CHN) analysis. Gel permeation chromato graphy (GPC) led to the conclusion that the new polymeric materials are alm ost monodisperse, The change of pH from the basic to the acidic range cause s a collapse of the macromolecules in an aqueous environment, and consequen tly the formation of preformed excimers is suppressed. These novel material s are designed for use in sensor heads for the photochemical detection of t he pH and CO2 content of water solutions. Using a model experiment, we show how these characteristics can be used for the measurement principles.