Electrical and sensing properties of partially benzylated β-cyclodextrin: Effect of benzyl chain length

Thin films of two partially benzylated β-CDs (β-cyclodextrins) were used to functionalize ITO (indium tin oxide) and Si/SiO2 substrates which were deposited by spin coating technique, to fabricate respectively a diode device and an EIS (electrolyte–insulator–semiconductor) sensor. We have studied electrical properties of ITO/β-CDs (Bz)n=5,10/Al diodes by means of current–voltage measurement and impedance spectroscopy. The application of these new modified β-CD (Bz)n=5,10 in the field of chemical sensors has been studied. Electrochemical capacitance measurements with EIS structures were made to test and calibrate physico-chemical sensors with regards to their sensitivity and selectivity. The sensing properties of these partial benzylated β-CD films towards Pb2+ in aqueous solution for sensor application were tested.A significant effect of the average of benzylation degree on both electrical and sensing properties has been investigated.