The preparation of a sol–gel glass oxygen sensor incorporating a covalently bound fluorescent dye

The synthesis of a novel ruthenium(II) polypyridyl complex incorporating silane pendant moieties is described. This fluorescent material was covalently bound to an organically modified silica glass precursor to give thin films suitable for optical oxygen sensing. These films showed good oxygen sensitivity characteristics, and possess the distinct advantage over physically entrapped dyes of being chemically attached to the support membrane. This approach to the preparation of luminescent micro-porous glass films provides sensitive membranes suitable for applications where zero dye leaching is a requirement.