Microreactor platforms integrated with novel luminescent temperature sensor materials for microscale continuous flow chemical synthesis

Glass-polymer hybrid micro flow reactors integrated with temperature sensing layers were developed by using a mold-free light induced polymerization method. A UV-photosensitive material, Norland optical adhesive (NOA 81), was employed to fabricate microchannels between glasses. We successfully integrated optical thermal sensing layers into these platforms that contained either Ruthenium-tris-(1, 10)-phenanthroline-, or carbon dot-based temperature probes. The layers showed a high thermal sensitivity which is favorable for real-time detection. These setups exhibited desirable organic solvent resistance which can be further utilized to perform organic reactions with precise temperature and flow control to improve reaction selectivity and yield.