An example article includes a substrate and a coating applied to the substrate. The coating includes a stabilizer and an organic phosphonic acid reactant. In an example article, the coating includes a water-soluble polymer and an organic phosphate or phosphonate reactant. An example coating configured to be applied to a basic gas filter substrate includes a water-soluble polymer and an organic phosphate or phosphonate reactant. An example technique includes applying a coating to a substrate and heating at least the coating to a temperature between about 100° C. and about 275° C. for about 1 minute to about 10 minutes. An example system includes a basic gas filter including a coating, and a sensor configured to sense an optical change in the coating.