Modified Hyperbranched Polymers for Fluorescence Sensing Applications

Abstract : During this research, this study employed commercially available hyperbranched polymers (HBPs) modified with aliphatic, perfluorinated, and fluorescent moieties to yield polyesters with controlled end group functionality. Similar polymers have migrated to the surface of cast polymer films when incorporated as a minor constituent of a linear polymer film. The polymers were incorporated into polyacrylonitrile and poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) matrices and were shown to function as fluorescence sensors. The HBPs transported the fluorescent groups to the fiber mat surface where they interacted with mercury (Hg(II)) or cytochrome c as the analyte. Sensitivities were modest and showed linear response with Hg(II) as the quenching agent and nonlinear response with cytochrome c. This work suggests that HBPs may provide a broadly accessible scaffold for the introduction of fluorescence-sensing elements in nonreactive polymer matrices.