Versatile Ratiometric Fluorescent Thermometer Based on Antirigidochromic Fluorophores in a Polymer Matrix with Exceptional Anti-Interference Capability

Abstract

Traditional fluorescent thermometers are often responsive to stimuli such as acid, moisture, solvents, light irradiation, and other stimuli, thereby limiting their practical applications. This is further intensified by the growing complexity of unconventional scenarios with various interfering stimuli. Here, we develop a versatile fluorescent thermometer featuring fluorophore PTF1 dispersed in a polymer matrix at a low loading. At room temperature, the rigidity of polymer network is high, rendering PTF1 a yellow fluorescence due to its antirigidochromic behavior. Increasing the temperature reduces the rigidity of PTF1, effectively restoring the intrinsic blue fluorescence of PTF1. Benefiting from the excellent encapsulation effect of polymer matrices, this thermometer exhibits an exceptional anti-interference ability. Further, it could be shaped into various forms, enabling temperature measurements in diverse scenarios. Moreover, it could be customized to irreversible working modes, rendering the temperature history with recording features. This work offers a design of a fluorescent thermometer with advanced features unattainable with conventional fluorophores.