Ammonia gas-sensing characteristics of fluorescence-based poly(2-(acetoacetoxy)ethyl methacrylate) thin films

► Novel fluorescent poly(2-(acetoacetoxy)ethyl methacrylate) latexes were synthesized by miniemulsion polymerization. ► Ammonia and the β-dicarbonyl aggregates assembled a supramolecular complex. ► PAAEMA thin films absorb and desorb ammonia in a reversible manner. ► PAAEMA thin films are sensitive to ammonia gas and have short response time.