Humidity adsorption kinetics of calix[4]arene derivatives measured using QCM technique

Abstract

This study focuses on the characterization of sulphonated calix[4]arene derivative films coated on a quartz substrate with a thickness of 40 nm by spin coating method for humidity detection. The humidity adsorption kinetics of the sulphonated calix[4]arene films was investigated by quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) technique. The Langmuir model was used to determine the adsorption rates and Gibbs free energy for various relative humidities between 11% and 97%. Our reproducible experimental results show that suphonated calix[4]arene films have a great potential for humidity sensing applications at room temperature operations. © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.