Optical oxygen sensor coating based on the fluorescence quenching of a new pyrene derivative

A new pyrene derivative 1-decyl-4-(1-pyrenyl) butanoate (DPB) was synthesized by the esterification reaction of 1-pyrene butyric acid with n-decanol. The photophysical properties of this pyrene ester were studied in toluene and in silicone polymers. The emission spectra of DPB exhibited excimer emission in solution and in silicone polymer coatings and the emission was effectively quenched by oxygen. A comparison of the oxygen sensor performance of DPB was made with that of pyrene and 1-pyrene butyric acid in silicone polymer coatings. The effect of different silicone resins on the properties of the DPB-based oxygen sensor coating was studied and the most suitable binder was selected. The new pyrene derivative was found to have potential as a substitute for pyrene in pressure-sensitive paints used for the measurement of surface pressure distribution on wind tunnel models.