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Optical Acetone Vapor Sensors Based on Chiral Nematic Liquid Crystals and Reactive Chiral Dopants
Author(s) -
Cachelin Pascal,
Green Joshua P.,
Peijs Ton,
Heeney Martin,
Bastiaansen Cees W. M.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
advanced optical materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.89
H-Index - 91
ISSN - 2195-1071
DOI - 10.1002/adom.201500549
Subject(s) - acetone , dopant , materials science , liquid crystal , reflection (computer programming) , cholesteric liquid crystal , volume (thermodynamics) , analytical chemistry (journal) , optics , chemical engineering , doping , optoelectronics , organic chemistry , thermodynamics , chemistry , engineering , physics , computer science , programming language
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.