Specific detection of n-propanol gas via terahertz metasurface sensor modified by molecularly imprinted polymer

As an organic substance, n -propanol gas has been paid attention to in environmental monitoring and exhalation of lung cancer patient. In this paper a rapid detection method for n -propanol gas is developed based on molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP) and terahertz (THz) metasurface sensors. We first prepared a MIP suitable for detecting the n -propanol gas. And then the n -propanol MIP was modified to the THz metasurface sensor for detecting the n -propanol gas. Since the MIP adsorbed with n -propanol changes the dielectric environment of the sensor, the resonance frequency of the sensor also change. So we based on the n -propanol concentration was analyzed according to the change in resonance frequency. The experimental results showed that the sensor can effectively detect the n -propanol concentration in the range of 50–500 ppm (parts per million). In addition, we also verified the specificity and repeatability of the sensor. This work provides a new idea and method for the sensitive and specific detection of n -propanol gas.