A team of Russian scientists has developed an innovative sensory material based on 3D photonic crystals. It is designed to detect vapors of toxic substances in chemical production facilities. This was reported by the press service of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Photonic crystals are ordered structures that reflect light waves of various lengths. Sensors based on photonic crystals can withstand several cycles of use (from 6 to 10 applications).
One of the key advantages of the new material is the ability to visually detect volatile substances. The sensor changes color from green through green-blue to yellow-red. The applied optical spectroscopy method provides fast and accurate analysis, allowing to register the reflection spectrum of a photonic crystal in just a few minutes.
We found that photonic crystals have selectivity, which is expressed in the fact that different times are required to shift the reflection spectrum. The more volatile the organic solvent and the smaller the size of its molecules, the easier it penetrates into the photonic crystal and the faster the spectral response is recorded.
Scientists have also created a database describing the response of photonic crystals to various classes of substances, depending on their volatility and molecule size.
According to the authors of the study, the new sensors will find application in chemical industries, where leaks of solvent vapors that pose a danger to human health are possible.
Earlier www1.ru reported that in Saratov they created a unique sensor for detecting inert gases.
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