Aphiwat PankaewNisanart TraipholRakchart TraipholChulalongkorn UniversityMahidol University2022-08-042022-08-042021-05-20Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects. Vol.617, (2021)18734359092777572-s2.0-85102422736https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/76530Polydiacetylenes (PDAs) are well-known materials that can be utilized as colorimetric sensors of various stimuli. PDA-based materials are normally synthesized via a self-assembly in an aqueous medium. In this study, we explored important experimental parameters including concentration, incubating temperature, and solvent media, that affected the self-assembly of monocarboxylic PDA and reversible thermochromic PDA/Zn2+/ZnO nanocomposites. The critical concentration (C*), the lowest concentration for topotactic photopolymerization in each system, was determined. We achieved, for the first time, direct synthesis of PDA/Zn2+/ZnO nanocomposites in toluene. Furthermore, it was possible to synthesize the nanocomposites at ambient conditions, simplifying the process for large-scale production. The addition of co-solvent, ethanol, resulted in a significant increase in blue-phase concentration. The presence of ethanol in the solvent medium also caused the morphological change from sheet-like to ribbon-like structures. The ability to synthesize the nanocomposite in nonpolar media allowed the fabrication of solid-state sensors by mixing with various polymers such as polyethylene, polystyrene, poly(methyl methacrylate), and poly(4-vinylpyridine). Reversible thermochromic smart inks were prepared by simple mixing with acrylic paint. Our study extends the utilization of PDA-based materials as colorimetric sensors.Mahidol UniversityChemical EngineeringChemistryPhysics and AstronomyArticleSCOPUS10.1016/j.colsurfa.2021.126431