Detection of alcohol vapor using surface plasmon resonance sensor with organic-inorganic hybrid layers

Abstract

The detection of alcohol vapor using a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor with an organic-inorganic hybrid was investigated. An alkyl thiol thin film alone had no sensitivity to alcohol vapor. However, when zirconium phosphate via hydroxyl aminoethanethiol interfacial layers or TiO2 via silanethiol layers was formed, a large change in incident angle was observed. The incident angle caused by the adsorption of alcohol vapor (Δθ) increased with an increase in the concentration of alcohol vapor. The sequence of the sensitivity was as follows: 2-butanol > 1-propanol > ethanol > methanol.