Preparation of polydiacetylene/silica nanocomposite for use as a chemosensor

A new approach of creating ordered polydiacetylene assembly is reported. The disordered 10,12-pentacosadiynoic acid (PCDA) aggregates adsorb on the surfaces of silica nanoparticles in the aqueous solution, the interactions induce ordered arrangement of PCDA molecules, which undergo polymerization by exposure to UV light. This is a feasible and efficient method for preparing the chromatic sensor films of polydiacetylene. The strategy would be useful in the development of polydiacetylene-based chemosensors and biosensors.