Abstract
Mesoporous thin films of rhenium-based `molecular squares', [Re(CO)3Cl(L)]4 (L = pyrazine, 4,4′-bipyridine), have been utilized as sensors for volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The sensing was conducted using a quartz crystal microbalance with the target compounds present in the gas phase at concentrations ranging from 0.05 to 1 mM. Quartz crystal microbalance studies with these materials allowed for distinction between the following VOCs: (1) small aromatic versus aliphatic molecules of almost identical size and volatility and (2) an array of benzene molecules derivatized with electron donating/withdrawing substituents. The experiments suggest that the mesoporous host materials interact with VOC guest molecules through both van der Waals and weak charge-transfer interactions. In addition, size selectivity is shown by exposure of the molecular squares to cyclic ethers of differing size.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 3964-3970 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Langmuir |
Volume | 16 |
Issue number | 8 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Apr 18 2000 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Materials Science(all)
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Surfaces and Interfaces
- Spectroscopy
- Electrochemistry