Parts per Million Detection of Alcohol Vapors via Metal Organic Framework Functionalized Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensors.
The development of novel molecular sieves opens opportunities in the development of more sensitive analytical devices. In this paper, metal organic frameworks (MOFs), specifically ZIF-8 and ZIF-93, are grown on fiber optic based surface plasmon resonance (FO-SPR) sensors. FO-SPR has enabled sensitive sensing capabilities in biomedical settings and the addition of an MOF coating opens the way for the sensing of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in gaseous media. FO-SPR probes were homogeneously functionalized with ZIF-8 and ZIF-93 in each case using two different precursor solutions to obtain a sequential nucleation and growth phase. The difference in MOF nucleation and growth kinetics of the two solutions was directly monitored by the FO-SPR system. The two established MOF-FO-SPR sensors were then subjected to sensing experiments with several alcohol vapors to establish their sensing capabilities. Vapors with mPa partial pressures, ppm concentrations, could successfully be detected, e.g., an LOD of 2.5 ppm for methanol detection was acquired. The difference in recognition behavior of the hydrophobic ZIF-8 and more hydrophilic ZIF-93 recognition layers can be exploited to yield qualitative information regarding the vapor composition.
Centre for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis, Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, University of Leuven , Celestijnenlaan 200F, Post Box 2461, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium.
Wouter
W
Vandezande
Molecular Imaging and Photonics, Department of Chemistry, University of Leuven , Celestijnenlaan 200F, Post Box 2404, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium.
Kris P F
KPF
Janssen
Division of Mechatronics, Biostatistics and Sensors, Department of Biosystems, University of Leuven , Willem de Croylaan 42, Post Box 2428, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium.
Filip
F
Delport
Centre for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis, Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, University of Leuven , Celestijnenlaan 200F, Post Box 2461, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium.
Rob
0000-0003-3178-5480
R
Ameloot
Centre for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis, Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, University of Leuven , Celestijnenlaan 200F, Post Box 2461, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium.
Dirk E
DE
De Vos
Division of Mechatronics, Biostatistics and Sensors, Department of Biosystems, University of Leuven , Willem de Croylaan 42, Post Box 2428, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium.
Jeroen
0000-0001-8143-6794
J
Lammertyn
Centre for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis, Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems, University of Leuven , Celestijnenlaan 200F, Post Box 2461, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium.
Maarten B J
0000-0001-6582-6514
MBJ
Roeffaers