Preparation of the ferrocene-substituted 1,3-distal p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene based QCM sensors array and utilization of its gas-sensing affinities

•Calixarenes have attracted much attention as receptors in supramolecular chemistry.•A new the ferrocene-substituted calix[4]arene 4 was synthesized.•A new organoiron-substituted calixarene-based QCM electrode (Clx-QCM) was prepared.•Clx-QCM shows a strong binding affinity towards CO and CO2 gases.•Clx-QCM would open new options for gas-sensing applications.

The article describes the synthesis of the new ferrocene-substituted calix[4]arene derivative 4 as sensitive layer, and suggests that the immobilization of it is on a quartz crystal microbalance gold electrode via the drop-casting method in order to produce the calix[4]arene-based QCM sensor. In addition, sensor response of the calix[4]arene-based QCM sensor was investigated towards carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon monoxide (CO). The sensing and selectivity studies show that the ferrocene-substituted calix[4]arene-based QCM sensor is an effective gas sensor toward both carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide.

Graphical abstractA new ferrocene-substituted calix[4]arene derivative was successfully immobilized on a quartz crystal microbalance gold electrode via the drop-casting method in order to investigate its sensing affinity towards CO2 & CO. The QCM electrode showed a great affinity for both of gases due to the strong complexation properties of the calixarene.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide