Sensor arrays based on co-assembling polydiacetylene/Zn2+/ZnO nanocomposites with polymers for detecting and differentiating acids

Abstract

Polydiacetylene (PDA)/Zn²⁺/ZnO nanocomposites present significant potential in acid sensing. The accurate detection and identification of acids in complex mixtures remains challenging. This study introduces novel PDA-based colorimetric sensor arrays, developed by co-assembling the PDA/Zn²⁺/ZnO nanocomposites with various polymers, including polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), polyethylene glycol (PEG), poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP), and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The PDA-based sensor arrays successfully differentiate eight organic acids commonly present in food products by producing distinct visual fingerprints with varied color transitions. The colorimetric responses are influenced by the structures and dissociation abilities of the organic acids as well as the local architectures of sensors. An average RGB analysis enables the creation of standardized libraries of solid-state sensor arrays for differentiating organic acids. The solid-state sensor arrays can also detect organic acids in various organic solvents. Our results demonstrate the potential of PDA-based colorimetric sensor arrays to accurately differentiate acids, enabling practical applications and advancements in sensing technology.