Hybrid mesostructured thin films functionalized with DBM as new selective sensors of BF3

Hybrid mesoporous organo-silicas functionalized with grafted dibenzoylmethane (DBM) exhibit fluorescence that can be exalted or quenched in the presence of BF3 or BCl3 gases, respectively. This selective behaviour opens promising avenues for the design of new hybrid nanosensors for gases commonly used in semiconductor industries.