Liquid crystal nose (LC-nose): case of chiral networks

ABSTRACT

Liquid crystalline networks based on compositions of cholesteric siloxanes and low molar mass compounds are studied as components of a liquid crystal nose (LC-nose) that is able to detect a number of volatile organic compounds (VOCs): ethanol, toluene, pyridine, and acetic acid. Selectivity to different VOCs is improved by means of copolymerisation with acrylic acid and blending with low molar mass compound (pentylcyclohexanecarboxylic acid). This modifies the properties of the liquid crystalline matrix by introducing hydrogen donors/acceptors and increases the matrix affinity to certain VOCs.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• VOC
• LC-nose
• networks
• cholesteric
• artificial nose
• chiral

Acknowledgments

PVS thanks Dr. E. Hanelt for supplying us with siloxane monomers.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was in part supported by Fordham Fellowship Program provided sabbatical leave for PVS.