Water-Controlled Synthesis of Low-Dimensional Molecular Crystals and the Fabrication of a New Water and Moisture Indicator

Arrays of low-dimensional molecular crystals of square columns (1-D) and nanolamellae (2-D) of Zn[TCNQ]₂(H₂O)₂ with large areas (up to 10–20 cm²) have been synthesized by controlled addition of water to Zn and TCNQ. Based on the ability to accurately control the reaction, a new moisture and water indicator has been developed. The simple method, the large areas of material prepared, the fine size tuning, and the typical semiconductor behavior of the resulting low-dimensional molecular materials promise applications in molecular electronics as well as nanoelectronics. The system is an effective indicator for the detection of traces of water and moisture.