A new optochemical chlorine gas sensor based on the application of amphiphilic co-networks as matrices

A sensor for chlorine gas detection, consisting of an amphiphilic polymer co-network with an immobilised oxidation indicator, o-tolidine, is described. Data describing gas sensing properties and long-term stability will be presented. This study focuses on APCN thin films as a matrix for indicator immobilisation. Thin films of poly(2-hydroxyethyl acrylate)-1-polydimethylsiloxane PHEA-I-PDMS were prepared as immobilisation matrices for o-tolidine. We present a simple, non-expensive, but highly sensitive optical sensor for chlorine gas detection. The thin film response is reproducible and irreversible. With our kinetic-optical method rapid response times were achieved. The determination of chlorine is performed on the basis of the oxidation of o-tolidine as the chromogenic reagent to a coloured product which can be monitored at 650 nm. The results reveal a fast response to chlorine gas down to concentrations of 0.01 ppm. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.