Self-diagnostic and smart polymers based on fluorescent probes

This thesis explores luminescent molecules, including molecular rotors and aggregachromic dyes, integrated into polymer matrices to create self-diagnostic and smart polymers. Research spans mechanoluminochromism, temperature-dependent behavior, and sensitivity to free volume and chain mobility changes, providing insights into their dynamic interaction under diverse environmental conditions. Using molecular rotors, the link between dye emission properties and matrix characteristics was deeply studied, challenging conventional assumptions. It is concluded that fluorescence lifetime is a more robust tool for discerning dye property changes than fluorescence intensity. An innovative approach measures chain mobility using a temperature-independent AIE probe, visualizing it with high resolution. Then, a phosphorescent probe explores free volume changes during stress-strain tests and aging, facilitating real-time monitoring. Incorporating aggregachromic dyes aims to produce mechanoluminochromic materials sensitive to intermolecular distance and chromophore orientation changes. Bonding dyes to polymer chains versus blending is investigated. Overall, this work provides insights into luminescent dye utilization within polymer matrices, offering versatility and sensitivity for applications like damage detection, load-bearing devices, and mechanochromic textiles, paving the way for future developments in polymer-based luminescent materials