Immobilisation and assessment of aniline dyes for non-fluorescent pH sensing applications

The attachment of two aniline-based chromophores, Disperse Black 3 and Pararosaniline, to beaded controlled pore glass (CPG) and their testing as fibre optic based pH sensors is described. Synthetic methods for their attachment at specified loadings to CPG were developed. The Disperse Black 3 sensor displayed a rapid response time and a dynamic range between pH 1.0 and 2.5, while the Pararosaniline-bearing sensor gave an extremely slow response time but a large sensing range from pH 1 to 11.