LAUSR

Abstract We present quantitative measurements of the optical response of liquid crystal (LC)/polymer composite fiber mats to toluene and acetone vapors. Our analyses in comparison with control measurements of pure LC film and polymer fiber mats show that the chemicals can pass through the polymer sheath of the fibers and be absorbed by the LC in the core. This absorption changes the optical properties of the fiber mats which can be used to produce sensitive and reversible detection. The sensitive response at low concentrations of both acetone and toluene demonstrates the feasibility of using these fibers for highly sensitive and specific sensors for volatile organic compound detection.