Response of photonic crystal hydrogels to carbohydrate and polyhydroxy alcohols

Publication date: Available online 20 January 2020Source: Reactive and Functional PolymersAuthor(s): Yongli Zhang, Jing Tang, Keke Feng, Huilin Zhao, Weiwei Yan, Zhiming Sun, Fuming Wu, Yu Sun, Jianping GaoAbstractInverse opal hydrogel films composed of hydroxyethyl 2-methacrylate and phenylboronic acid (IOHGHEMA+3APBA) were prepared by a convenient ultrasonic-induced self-assembly method. The IOHGHEMA+3APBA films had brilliant blue-violet color when they were immersed in deionized water and reached swelling equilibrium. The IOHGHEMA+3APBA films were used as sensors to detect chemicals with similar structures. When the IOHGHEMA+3APBA films were in contact with different monosaccharide, polysaccharide or polyhydric alcohol solutions, their reflection peaks maxima (λmax) shifted over the entire visible wavelength range (520 to 780 nm). The red shift of λmax was related to the number of effective hydroxyl groups and the molecular size of the detected molecules. Thus isomers or organic compounds with similar structures or properties may induce different λmax shifts of the IOHGHEMA+3APBA films.Graphical abstractInverse opal hydrogel IOHGHEMA+3APBA films with band gap in the visible light region were prepared and showed response to carbohydrate and polyhydroxy alcohols.
Source: Reactive and Functional Polymers - Category: Chemistry Source Type: research