High-Performance Organic Nanomembrane Based Sensors for Rapid in Situ Acid Detection

Here, we demonstrate the fabrication, characterization, and tailoring of porous organic nanomembranes and their direct integration on inorganic substrates for sensing applications. The chemically prepared nanomembranes can be integrated on both conducting and insulating substrates by either transfer or direct synthesis. We also successfully demonstrate their use for the detection of commonly used acids including HCl, H2SO4, or H3PO4 and their respective counterions, chlorides, sulfates, and phosphates. Impressively, the in situ acid detection is achieved down to 5 nmol·L–1, while the quantification is feasible between 5 μmol·L–1 and 10 mmol·L–1. These values are among the lowest values reported so far in literature. Furthermore, the organic nanomembrane based sensor covers a wide concentration range of almost 8 orders of magnitude including the environmental limits currently adopted.