Fluorescent Humidity Sensors Based on Photonic Resonators

Among the different approaches to humidity sensing available, those based on fluorescent signals are gathering a great deal of attention due to their fast response and versatility of detection and design. So far, all proposals have focused on the use of luminescent probes whose emission is either tr...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Advanced optical materials 2017-12, Vol.5 (23), p.n/a
Main Authors: Szendrei, Katalin, Jiménez‐Solano, Alberto, Lozano, Gabriel, Lotsch, Bettina V., Míguez, Hernán
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
2D nanosheets
Antimony
Emission
Emitters
Fluorescence
fluorescent humidity sensors
Humidity
Light emission
Materials science
Optical design
Optical properties
Optics
photonic resonators
Photonics
Resonators
Sensors
stimuli‐responsive photonic crystals
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Summary:Among the different approaches to humidity sensing available, those based on fluorescent signals are gathering a great deal of attention due to their fast response and versatility of detection and design. So far, all proposals have focused on the use of luminescent probes whose emission is either triggered or inhibited by the presence of water that reacts or alters their chemical environment, hence inducing the signal change. Here, a novel concept in fluorescent humidity sensing based on combining stimuli‐responsive photonic resonators with molecular fluorescent probes is introduced. The resonator is assembled from humidity‐swellable antimony phosphate nanosheets embedding a planar light‐emitting probe, whose emission is dramatically modified by the changes that ambient humidity causes in its photonic environment. Guided by “in silico” optical design of the resonator architecture and subsequent experimental realization, two embodiments of fluorescent photonic humidity sensors featuring turn‐on and turn‐off detection schemes are presented. The interplay between the luminescent properties of an emitter and its photonic environment implies a fundamental advantage as the emitters are not chemically altered during the detection process. At the same time, it paves the way toward a new generation of photonic humidity sensors which can conveniently be interfaced with common fluorescence detection schemes. A novel concept in fluorescent humidity sensing is herein presented by precisely locating a thin light‐emitting layer of nanospheres inside a moisture‐responsive photonic crystal resonator.
ISSN:2195-1071
2195-1071
DOI:10.1002/adom.201700663