Optical Acetone Vapor Sensors Based on Chiral Nematic Liquid Crystals and Reactive Chiral Dopants

Accurate monitoring of exposure to organic vapors, such as acetone, is an important part of maintaining a safe working environment and adhering to long‐ and short‐term exposure limits. Here, a novel acetone vapor detection system is described based on the use of a reactive chiral dopant in a nematic...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Advanced optical materials 2016-04, Vol.4 (4), p.592-596
Main Authors: Cachelin, Pascal, Green, Joshua P., Peijs, Ton, Heeney, Martin, Bastiaansen, Cees W. M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acetone
acetone vapor
chemosensors
chiral nematic liquid crystals
Dopants
Exposure
Liquid crystals
Monitors
Nematic
Optics
Reflection
Sensors
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Summary:Accurate monitoring of exposure to organic vapors, such as acetone, is an important part of maintaining a safe working environment and adhering to long‐ and short‐term exposure limits. Here, a novel acetone vapor detection system is described based on the use of a reactive chiral dopant in a nematic liquid crystal thin film, which can accurately monitor the total exposure over a given time frame through changes in the reflection band of the film. It is found that films exposed to 1000 parts per million by volume (ppmv) of acetone vapor for 2 h exhibit a shift in reflection band of 12 nm, with smaller shifts observed at lower concentrations of acetone. Such sensors have potential applications in industrial hygiene. A novel sensor based on a chiral nematic liquid crystal doped with a reactive dopant is fabricated and investigated. It is found that the sensor acts as a real‐time integrator, responding to the total acetone dose by changing the wavelength of the reflection maximum of the chiral nematic liquid crystal. The sensitivity and cross‐sensitivity of the sensor are investigated.
ISSN:2195-1071
2195-1071
DOI:10.1002/adom.201500549