Water-controlled synthesis of low-dimensional molecular crystals and the fabrication of a new water and moisture indicator

Abstract

Arrays of low-dimensional molecular crystals of square columns (1-D) and nanolamellae (2-D) of Zn[TCNQ]2(H2O)2 with large areas (up to 10-20 cm2) have been synthesized by controlled addition of water to Zn and TCNQ. Based on the ability to accurately control the reaction, a new moisture and water indicator has been developed. The simple method, the large areas of material prepared, the fine size tuning, and the typical semiconductor behavior of the resulting low-dimensional molecular materials promise applications in molecular electronics as well as nanoelectronics. The system is an effective indicator for the detection of traces of water and moisture. © Tsinghua University Press and Springer-Verlag 2009.