title: Stimuli-Responsive Polymer Film that Autonomously Translates a Molecular Detection Event into a Macroscopic Change in Its Optical Properties via a Continuous, Thiol-Mediated Self-Propagating Reaction.
abstract: This Communication describes a chemically responsive polymer film that is capable of detecting low levels of a specific applied molecular signal (thiol) and subsequently initiating a self-propagating reaction within the material that converts the nonfluorescent film into a globally fluorescent material. We illustrate that the intensity of the resulting fluorescent material is independent of the quantity of the applied thiol, whereas the rate to reach the maximum level of signal is directly proportional to the quantity of the signal. In contrast, a control film, which lacks functionality for mediating the self-propagating reaction, provides a maximum change in fluorescence that is directly proportional to the quantity of the applied thiol. This level of nonamplified signal is 78% lower in intensity (when initiated with 100 μM of applied thiol) than is achieved when the material contains functionality that supports the self-powered, self-propagating amplification reaction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University , University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States.
authors.forename: Hemakesh
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mohapatra
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University , University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States.
authors.forename: Hyungwoo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University , University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States.
authors.forename: Scott T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Phillips
mesh_terms: D005456:Fluorescent Dyes / Q000737:chemistry*; D015394:Molecular Structure; D055095:Optics and Photonics; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D011108:Polymers; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds