Interfacially polymerized metalloporphyrin thin films for colorimetric sensing of organic vapors

Interfacial polymerization chemistry has been employed to produce robustly structured supported films of sensor materials. Thin-film materials that incorporate several metalloporphyrins (M = Co(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II)) to use as colorimetric sensors for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including alcohols, ketones and chlorocarbons have been synthesized. Upon exposure to these VOCs, the sensors’ absorption spectra undergo reversible changes that can be monitored to discriminate amongst analyte species. Sensor sensitivity and selectivity is affected by the metal identity.