Encapsulation of Bromothymol Blue pH‐Indicator into a Sol‐Gel Matrix

Transparent monolithic silica doping with bromothymol blue has been prepared by the acid catalyzed sol‐gel reaction of tetraethylorthosilicate in the presence of bromothymol blue. The immobilized bromothymol blue shows behavior similar to its solution counterpart. It retains its structure during the sol‐gel reactions in terms of response to pH. Polarized light microscopy has indicated that the bromothymol blue molecules are strongly interacted within the host silica network. The immobilization of bromothymol blue into sol‐gel matrix could be used as a solid indicator.

Keywords:

• Bromothymol blue
• pH indicator
• sol‐gel encapsulation
• immobilization of indicators
• polysiloxane entrapment