PMMA based soluble polymeric temperature sensors based on UCST transition and solvatochromic dyes

Poly(methyl methacrylate) copolymers labeled with a UV/vis or fluorescent dye were synthesized by RAFT polymerization and subsequently investigated as optical or fluorescent temperature sensors in ethanol. The UCST transition of PMMA in combination with solvatochromic dyes was found to result in a wide linear temperature response and to provide insights into the structural conformation of the PMMA chains during the UCST phase transition.