Organic vapour sensing using thin films of a co-ordination polymer: comparison of electrical and optical techniques

Abstract Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) films of the co-ordination polymer, poly(CuMBSH), have been used as the sensing layer for the detection of organic vapours (benzene, ethanol, toluene, acetonitrile and water) using the techniques of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and admittance spectroscopy. Reversible changes in the optical and electrical behaviour, respectively, were observed. For both methods, the results were interpreted in terms of a bulk dissolution of vapour in the polymer film. A comparison of the two techniques is given.