A fluorescent microporous crystalline dendrimer discriminates vapour molecules
- Journal:
- Chemical Communications
- Published:
- DOI:
- 10.1039/c7cc09342j
- Affiliations:
- 8
- Authors:
- 9
Research Highlight
Spotting hazardous vapours in the air
© Jose A. Bernat Bacete/Moment/Getty
A new type of chemical sensor changes colour in the presence of volatile vapours, offering a way of monitoring for contaminants and hazardous chemicals in the environment before they can cause harm.
A University of Tsukuba–led team created thin films of a porous, treelike polymer that, with its branched tendrils, absorbs and captures molecules of gaseous, evaporated solvents. Within a couple seconds of solvent exposure, the fluorescent colour and intensity of the film changes, offering a visual signal that’s easy to interpret with the naked eye.
The colour reflects the chemical polarity of the solvent, so a single film can distinguish between numerous types of hazardous agents. Plus, the film returns to its original colour after the solvent vapor is removed — which means the sensor could be reused many times for environmental monitoring.
References
- Chemical Communications 54, 2534–2537 (2018). doi: 10.1039/C7CC09342J
| Institutions | Authors | Share |
|---|---|---|
| University of Tsukuba, Japan | 0.39 | |
| Kyoto University, Japan | 0.22 | |
| Heidelberg University (Uni Heidelberg), Germany | 0.17 | |
| Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech), Japan | 0.11 | |
| ERATO Yamamoto Atom Hybrid Project, Japan | 0.11 | |
| Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Japan | 0.00 |