Colorimetric detection of nitroaromatics using organic photochromic compounds

Journal Publication ResearchOnline@JCU
Vamvounis, George;Sandery, Nicholas
Abstract

An organic photochromic compound is explored as a new portable colorimetric sensor for nitroaromatics. This photochromic compound switches from colourless to pink upon exposure to ultraviolet light. In the presence of nitroaromatic explosive derivatives the photoswitching behaviour of the dithienylethene is suppressed, while a potential false positive (toluene) has little effect. The degree of photoswitching inhibition was determined by comparing the integrated visible absorption with the concentration of the analyte to give the pseudo Stern–Volmer constant (K(PSV)). The K(PSV)s measured varied from 12900 (p-nitrotoluene) to 236 M^–1 (toluene), which were directly related to the analyte absorption at the excitation wavelength.

Journal

Australian Journal of Chemistry

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Volume

68

ISBN/ISSN

0004-9425

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Issue

11

Pages Count

4

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Publisher

CSIRO

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Date

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EISSN

N/A

DOI

10.1071/CH15337