Chemical sensing using metallophthalocyanines

Objective

Develop selective chemical sensors with fast response times:

• Create amorphous thin films using substituted metallophthalocyanines (MPc).

•Study thin films by:

› Atomic Force Microscopy.
› Electron Paramagnetic Resonance.
› Scanning Tunneling Microscopy.

•Gain selectivity by varying metal and substituent.

•Nanolithography to fabricate nanogap electrodes.

•Create working devices with micro- or nanogaps between electrodes coated with MPc.

•Develop method to characterize and test device.

•Test for selectivity and sensitivity.

•Improve response times.

 

Fig. 1 AFM of Cu-tBuPc.	Fig. 2 XRD of Cu-tBuPc.
Fig. 3 Thin film sensor.

Results

•Films become amorphous as substituent increases.

•Several materials for use as films synthesized.

•Microlithography and sensor tested.