Detection of carbon dioxide using cucurbit[6]uril-functionalized gold nanorod gas sensor based on localized surface plasmon resonance

Abstract

Owing to rapid climate change and increasingly stringent carbon regulations, carbon dioxide detection is becoming more important. In this study, we fabricate a cucurbit[6]uril-functionalized gold nanorod-based localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) gas sensor to detect carbon dioxide. The gold nanorods provide a high refractive index unit that enables the measurement of gas molecules with low molecular weights, while cucurbit[6]uril is a chemical receptor that binds to carbon dioxide owing to its structural characteristics. Therefore, cucurbit[6]uril was functionalized through direct adhesion on the surface of gold nanorods, which was replaced with citrate. The manufactured sensor can detect the presence of carbon dioxide at a maximum concentration of 400 ppm in the atmosphere. The high potential applicability of the cucurbit[6]urilapplied LSPR gas sensors is demonstrated in this study.