Experimental and Computational Studies of Phenylene-Bridged Azaacenes as Affinity Materials for Sensing Using Quartz Crystal Microbalances

Abstract

Abstract Phenylene-bridged, TIPS-alkynylated azaacenes are excellent materials for selective gas sorption. In this study, we utilized 195 MHz high-fundamental-frequency quartz crystal microbalances, coated with cyclic azaacenes, and determined their affinity towards hazardous and narcotics-related compounds such as benzene, γ-butyrolactone (GBL) or safrole. Computational investigations by extended tight binding intermolecular force field allowed better understanding of the determined unique features. Remarkable selective affinities were found towards GBL and safrole – both dangerous compounds which can be abused as precursors for narcotics. With these systematic approaches, we were able to get a better insight into the selective adsorption and how to design better affinity materials

Keywords

• affinity materials
• quartz crystal microbalances
• sensors
• azaacene
• trace analysis