Diketopyrrolopyrrole-tellurophene polymer for fast, selective, and reversible detection of bromine in solution, vapor, and solid states: A systematic study

• Investigation of diketopyrrolopyrrole based conjugated polymers for Br2 sensing.
• DPP-tellurophene based polymer work as colorimetric sensor for Br2.
• DPP-tellurophene polymer detects Br2 through naked-eye in solution, solid state and vapor.
• DPP-tellurophene polymer could be employed as optical solid sensor for Br2.

Conjugated polymers are of great interest and have been extensively examined as colorimetric and fluorometric sensors for biologically important species. Here, we report the systematic investigation of diketopyrrolopyrrole based conjugated polymers (PDTDPPT, PDTDPPSe and PDTDPPTe) bearing S, Se, and Te towards oxidative addition of Br2 using absorption spectroscopy, NMR spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, atomic force microscopy, and density functional theory calculations. PDTDPPTe polymer displays a highly sensitive, selective, and rapid response to Br2.

Taking advantage of metalloid nature of tellurium (Te) atom, a diketopyrrolopyrrole-tellurophene conjugated polymer was used for fast, selective and reversible detection of bromine in solution, vapor and solid state. This study provides an effective colorimetic and ratiometric sensor based on coordination behavior of Te towards bromine.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide