Fabrication of long-lasting multilayers of diacetylene@silica nanoparticles patterned on solids for sensory figures

Diacetylene (DA) vesicles were immobilized on a substrate using silica nanoparticles shell by the layer-by-layer method to develop a sensory figure multilayer. Silica nanoparticles were densely formed on the surface of the DA vesicle by surface modification and electrostatic interactions; these nanoparticles function as shell on the surface of the vesicles, enhancing the surface activity and structural stability of the vesicles. The DA-silica core–shell nanoparticles can be easily immobilized on rigid, flexible, and porous substrates. In addition, alphabet patterning was achieved by photopolymerization of the substrate on a photomask for the development of visible and fluorescent sensors. Using this polydiacetylene (PDA)-based patterning sensory figure, chemical stimuli were recognized within 5 s, signaled by a blue-to-red color change and photoluminescence. In addition, it was confirmed that the manufactured PDA-based patterning sensory figure works normally even after 3 months, and long-lasting is possible. Based on this work, the patterning technology applicable to various substrates can be applied to the development of PDA-based sensing materials for industrial field sensors.