Trifluoroacetylazobenzene for optical and electrochemical detection of amines

In this work, we demonstrate the solution processing of optical and electrochemical dye sensors based on 4-(dioctylamino)-4′-(trifluoroacetyl)azobenzene and its application in sensing different amine compounds. Distinct optical response of the sensors exposed to ammonia, tetramethylammonium hydroxide, ethylamine, cadaverine and putrescine (typical compounds upon the decomposition of proteins) is observed. Incorporation of inkjet deposited thin films of the dye as sensors in food packages of ground meat and salmon is found as a feasible route to detect the appearance of biogenic amines produced by the degrading food products. Furthermore, we demonstrate an electrochemical amine sensor based on (trifluoroacetyl)azobenzene dye added in carbon nanotube–Nafion® composites. The electrochemical sensor exploits the reaction between the dye and amines to detect amines in electrolytes, while the carbon nanotubes provide large surface for adsorption and also provide a percolating electrical network for allowing efficient charge transfer at the electrode electrolyte interface.