First approach to the use of liquid crystal elastomers for chemical sensors

Talanta. 2006 May 15;69(3):757-62. doi: 10.1016/j.talanta.2005.11.027. Epub 2006 Jan 6.

Abstract

Liquid crystalline thin films elastomers that are able to bind pesticides have been developed. The synthesis involves grafting mesogen and crosslinkable groups on a polysiloxane chain in the presence of a template molecule. The molecular imprinted material is obtained after thin film deposition, UV crosslinking and washing. Experiments of readsorption of pesticide are presented. Development of a multisensor platform based on thermal and capacitive sensors is described and tests of deposition of the polymer film are presented.