An Optical pH Sensor with a Linear Response over a Broad Range Based on Organically Modified Silicate Film

Sol-gel technology provides a viable approach to prepare stable, optically transparent host matrices for the design of materials for sensor, optical, chromatographic, and catalytic applications^1] Alternatively, organosilicon precursors of the general formula can be hydrolyzed and cocondensed with tetraethoxysilane to form an organic-inorganic hybrid. An aliquot of the resultant sol can be spin cast or dip coated on a planar substrate to form a thin film.