Fabrication of a bi-luminophore temperature sensitive coating by embedding europium thenoyltrifluoroacetonate (EuTTA) and perylene in polystyrene.

A new bi-luminophore system for optical sensing of temperature is described. The coating was fabricated by embedding europium thenoyltrifluoroacetonate (EuTTA) and perylene in polystyrene (PS) matrix. The luminescence emission of EuTTA was sensitive to temperature whereas perylene emission was temperature-insensitive and was used as a reference. Both luminophores were excited in the UV region of about 330 to 380 nm. The fluorescence emission of perylene and EuTTA occured at 474 nm and 615 nm respectively. The temperature sensitivities of both luminophores were influenced by (i) the type of polymer, and (ii) the concentration of luminophore in the matrix. Combining EuTTA and perylene in polystyrene matrix, a new bi-luminophore temperature sensing coating was developed. The temperature sensitivity of this coating was -1.80%/ degrees C in the temperature range of 5 degrees C to 50 degrees C. The emission characteristics of this temperature sensitive coating displayed a fully reversible response to temperature.