Gas-Responsive and Self-Powered Visual Composite Langmuir–Blodgett Films for Ultrathin Gas Sensors

Abstract

The complex and variable environments are challenging the development of related detection and analysis. Ammonia (NH3) and hydrogen chloride (HCl) gases are both commonly used in industry, but they are considered to be toxic and corrosive substances that can threaten human health and the environment. Therefore, it is necessary here to develop a convenient, sensitive, and reliable sensor device for acid-alkali gas detection. Herein, we propose the synthesis strategy of an ultrathin film gas sensor based on the pH-responsive, self-powered, and visible composite Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) films. In our work, the LB films with nanometric thicknesses are obtained based on the sensitive materials of two novel carbazole structural sensitizers (abbreviated as CS-35 and CS-37) and several dye molecules. The composite LB films are formed with Carbazole samples and dye molecules through hydrogen bonding, π-π stacking, synergistic electrostatic interactions, and hydrophobic interactions, existing as J-aggregate or H-aggregate. The formation of high-quality and uniform Langmuir films is confirmed with transmission electron microscope (TEM), UV-vis spectrum, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and other measurements. In addition, based on the simple protonation and deprotonation, the prepared LB films can be assembled into a visual sensor for the response of pH gases. The response is confirmed by the study of ultraviolet spectroscopy and electrical output in vertical contact separation mode, which potentially unlocks a sustainable future for the application of ultrathin self-powered gas sensors.