Characterization of Octaethyl Porphyrin Thin Films with Application to Determination of Volatile Organic Compounds

Abstract

Metal-free octaethyl porphyrins and octaethyl zinc porphyrins were used to fabricate thin films via spin coating. The film quality was evaluated by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. Surface plasmon resonance was employed to characterize the thin films for sensing of volatile organic compounds. The metal-free porphyrin thin films were sensitive for acetone and chloroform due to the shapes, sizes, and dipole moments of these molecules. The metallated porphyrin thin films interacted slightly with the volatile compounds.