Key points are not available for this paper at this time.
Optically transparent nanostructured silica films functionalized with phenol red dye were prepared by spin coating on glass slides. X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies revealed 2D hexagonal symmetry of the functionalized film with mesophase aligned parallel to the surface of substrate. The designed photofunction of films was spectroscopically tested for pH sensing application. The films displayed analytical dynamic range of 5–12 pH measuring units with response time less than 1 s. The films were resistant to peel off test and could be used up to 15–18 counts for pH measurements. The films were additionally found to feature optical notch filter with bandwidth of 85 nm. The characteristics of PR film resembled long-pass filter upon annealing at 400 °C with transmission over 90% in 370–800 nm range. The single nanocomposite film formed can thus act either as a pH sensor, notch filter, or long-pass filter after annealing at 400 °C. The experimental findings could serve as a model for fabrication of film with tailored physicochemical properties for predictive sensor and optical characteristics.
Chauhan et al. (Sun,) studied this question.