UV-Vis absorption optosensing materials based on metallophthalocyanines thin films

Thin films of different metallophthalocyanines (MPcs) [Zn(II) tetra-4-(2,4-di-t-amylphenoxy)-phthalocyanine (ZnPc); Cu(II) tris-(2,4-di-tamylphenoxy)-(12-hydroxy-1,4,7,10-tetraoxadodecyl)-phthalocyanine (CuPc) and Ru(II) tetra-4-(2,4-di-t-amylphenoxy)-phthalocyanine (RuPc)] have been used as chemically interacting materials for sensing application of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). As transduction technique of the sensor responses to the considered VOCs, the variation of the UV-Vis optical absorption spectra was used. The results of vapour-sensing tests in controlled atmosphere are here discussed. Glass substrates were covered with the different synthesised metallophthalocyanines in thin film form by using spin coating technique in order to generate stable and reproducible sensing layers having good response and selectivity depending on both the central metal ion of the molecules and the peripheral substituents of the macrocycles. A promising selectivity towards some alcohols, alkanes, esters, chetones and aldehydes has been found.