Soluble Polymeric Dual Sensor for Temperature and pH Value

Abstract

Two birds with one stone: A thermoresponsive copolymer (see picture, blue beads) bearing a pH-responsive solvatochromic dye (red beads) acts as the first dual sensor for temperature and pH value (black curve). When the hydrophilicity of the copolymer is increased by using a monomer with more hydrophilic side chains, the dual sensing capabilities are lost (red curve), thus providing new insights into the hydration of thermoresponsive polymers.