Preparation and characterization of photochromic and luminescent conjugated composites for application in radiation sensors

Abstract

The development of new materials for radiation dosimeters has been growing and becoming important for diverse applications in the medical and hospital areas. Photochromic molecules are recently targeted because they are capable altering their absorption spectra and consequently their coloration when exposed to different radiation doses, ionizing or not. In this context, conjugated polymers present technological potential for application in dosimeters because they present, among many other advantages, easy processing, low cost and easy of manufacture in the form of thin films. Thus, this project will focus on the preparation of composites involving photochromic molecules and luminescent conjugated polymers, with the aim to obtain materials with new optical properties, derived from their interactions and photophysics process of energy transfer that can be used as active element of colorimetric and radiation sensors. In solid state, the mobility of the molecules and the methodology of preparation of the films became essential factors for the efficiency of the system to be formed. So, the composite films will be prepared having in mind the conditions and methods of preparation using a biopolymer, the chitosan, which will be the support for the films. In this way, with a completely study and characterization of the composites, it is expected to obtain new materials with advantageous properties for their future application in colorimetric radiation dosimeters. (AU)