A proto-type sensor for volatile organic compounds based on magnesium porphyrin molecular films

Abstract An inexpensive portable sensor which can detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) has been developed. The system consists of a commercial blue LED which emits light that is detected by a phototransistor. The phototransistor is coated with a few thin layers of a gas sensing porphyrin. Porphyrins have a highly conjugated molecular structure that displays strong absorption in the visible region of the spectrum. The porphyrin layer undergoes a subtle shift in its absorbance characteristics upon exposure to specific volatile organic compounds. This varies the light intensity received by the phototransistor and results in a change in the voltage across the phototransistor when the analyte is detected. This sensor design can be applied to any available porphyrin–analyte pairing to develop a wide range of VOC detectors. Presented here is an alcohol sensor based upon the interaction of various alcohols with a magnesium porphyrin.

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