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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 February 2011
Sol-gel thin films and nanoparticles can be functionalized by imprinting strategies based on self-organization of the polymer precursors around a template compound. The resulting rugged layers are highly suitable for operating as sensor layers in harsh environments, such as engine oils. By adding e.g. dimethyl formamide or polyethylene glycol to titanate sols, the resulting layers show substantially increased sensitivity due to higher porosity and accessibility of the recognition sites. The same is true for nanoparticles, where the sensor effects are directly correlated to particle dimensions. Furthermore, also imprinted ZrO2 nanoparticles show very appreciable selectivity.