Enhanced benzene selectivity of mesoporous silica SPV sensors by incorporating phenylene groups in the silica framework

A stable and high ordered benzene–silica hybrid mesoporous material was successfully prepared from alternating hydrophilic and hydrophobic materials, composed of silica and benzene. The resulting mesoporous benzene modified silica thin film was then constructed on the surface photovoltage (SPV) sensor. Good response behaviors have shown that the device can be used, at room temperature, as a selective detector of benzene compound in the range of 100–800 ppm. The sensors allowed enhancement of the benzene selectivity, which indicates that the benzene chain within the wall of mesoporous benzene–silica may make an inter-reaction with benzene molecules to yield higher selectivity compared to methanol compound.