This review presents studies devoted to the description and comprehension of phenomena connected with the sensing behaviour towards NO(2) of films of two phthalocyanines, titanium bis-phthalocyanine and ruthenium phthalocyanine. Spectroscopic, conductometric, and morphological features recorded during exposure to the gas are explained and the mechanisms of gas-molecule interaction are also elucidated. The review also shows how X-ray reflectivity can be a useful tool for monitoring morphological parameters such as thickness and roughness that are demonstrated to be sensitive variables for monitoring the exposure of thin films of sensor materials to NO(2) gas.
Keywords: NO2; X-ray reflectivity; phthalocyanine; sensors.