Nanocomposites containing neutral blue emitting cyclometalated iridium(III) emitters for oxygen sensing

The behavior toward oxygen sensing of nanocomposites made of the aluminum oxide-hydroxide nanostructured solid support (AP200/19) and neutral blue emitting cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes was studied. The results are compared with the same dyes immobilized in polystyrene films. Since the photoluminescence of the complexes is totally quenched for oxygen concentrations just over 10%, these systems using the blue region of the visible spectrum are promising for oxygen detection at low concentration. In particular, dyes supported into the AP200/19 provide the best sensitivity to oxygen concentration, with the possibility to detect oxygen below 1% O-2 in gas (0.01 bar).