Optical properties of segmented cyano-containing PPV-based chromophore for fluorescent sensing

Optical metal ion responsive properties of segmented cyano-PPV derivative with pyridyl group are reported. The polymer solution in DMF exhibited absorption maximum at 346 nm and emission maximum at around 470 nm (excitation wavelength 346 nm). A new absorption was observed at 296 nm by addition of ferric and uranyl ions to the polymer solution presumably due to charge transfer interaction between polymer chain and metal ion. Consecutive fluorescence quenching was induced upon exposure to ferric ion. It is presumed that the metal ion binding leads to produce trapping sites for the excitation resulting in fluorescence quenching.