Lutetium bisphthalocyanine thin films as sensors for volatile organic components (VOCs) of aromas

Lutetium bisphthalocyanine (LuPc2) Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) and evaporated fi lms were investigated as sensitive materials for the detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) responsible for the aroma of food products such as olive oil or wine. The sensitive layers were deposited on ITO interdigitat ed electrodes in order to study the changes in their conductivity. The syst em was operated at room temperature and a variety of organic vapours with d ifferent chemical functionalities were tested. The results demonstrate the viability of the phthalocyanine thin films as the active species for system s specifically designed for the monitoring of aromatic components in food. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.