Europium complex-based thermochromic sensor for integration in plastic optical fibres

We report on a new thermochromic material containing a europium complex for thermal sensing through its fluorescence response to temperature. The ratio between the strong luminescence peak of europium (III) and a side band emission is employed as a new probe for optical sensing of temperature. The ratio is observed to follow an Arrhenius-type dependence with temperature. Based on these results we developed a thermal probe based on a segment of luminescent thermometer optically cemented to the tip of a PMMA fibre.

► We synthesize a copolymer based on an europium-containing organic complex and MMA.
► We characterize its emission observing the coexistence of a broad blue emission band and Eu3+ emission.
► Ratiometric comparison of both bands is strongly T-dependent following an Arrhenius type dependence.
► We integrate segments of materials into PMMA fibres and detect T-response.