|
Investigation of vapochromism of 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine-tetrasilicicfluormica intercalation compounds through visible diffuse reflection and powder X-ray diffraction
|
|
In this study, we synthesized intercalation compounds of 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) and tetrasilicicfluormica (TSFM) via a commonly used cation exchange method with TMB2+ /TSFM cation exchange capacity (CEC) ratios of 1.0, 2.0, 2.7, and 5.4. These materials were characterized using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence, thermogravimetric-differential thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and visible absorption spectroscopy . The vapochromism of each sample was assessed directly from the exterior of the glass sample tube using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. All specimens vacuum-dried at 50 °C appeared yellow but turned green under water vapor at TMB/CEC = 2.0, 2.7, and 5.4, and blue under acetonitrile vapor at all TMB/CEC ratios. The sample with TMB/CEC = 2.0, in particular, exhibited clear vapochromic effects towards water and acetonitrile. Methanol and formic acid induced color changes similar to that of water vapor but less intense, except at TMB/CEC = 2.0. The color of each sample faded upon exposure to gaseous ammonia, whereas ethanol, acetone , iodomethane, and nonpolar solvents did not induce any color changes. The powder XRD pattern suggested changes in the array structures of TMB in the interlayer spaces due to vapor exposure.
|
