Multidimensional Conducting Polymer Nanotubes for Ultrasensitive Chemical Nerve Agent Sensing

Abstract

Tailoring the morphology of materials in the nanometer regime is vital to realizing enhanced device performance. Here, we demonstrate flexible nerve agent sensors, based on hydroxylated poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) nanotubes (HPNTs) with surface substructures such as nanonodules (NNs) and nanorods (NRs). The surface substructures can be grown on a nanofiber surface by controlling critical synthetic conditions during vapor deposition polymerization (VDP) on the polymer nanotemplate, leading to the formation of multidimensional conducting polymer nanostructures. Hydroxyl groups are found to interact with the nerve agents. Representatively, the sensing response of dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) as a simulant for sarin is highly sensitive and reversible from the aligned nanotubes. The minimum detection limit is as low as 10 ppt. Additionally, the sensor had excellent mechanical bendability and durability.

Recent advances in flexible sensors for wearable and implantable devices

“…2,[12][13][14] Such remarkable advances have been achieved through various solutions through the use of electrical active matrices on flexible rubberlike substrates to obtain various functions, such as high bendability, 15,16 ultrasensitivity, 7,17 transparency, 1,2,18-21 or wellestablished human-device interfaces. 8,9,22,23 In general, to be able to measure multifunctional mechanical and electrical signals, a number of circuit elements involving organic/inorganic matrix arrays, 3,4,17,[24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31] hybrid composites, [32][33][34][35][36][37][38] graphene, 39,40 and nanowires (NWs) or nanotube assemblies [41][42][43][44] need to be integrated on various flexible substrates. 45 About a decade ago, flexible electronic skins (e-skins) for pressure sensing were first introduced with polymer-based switching matrices for future displays, robots, and prosthetics of mechanical communications [ Figure 1(a)].…”

Recent Advances in Nanostructured Conducting Polymers: from Synthesis to Practical Applications

“…A great deal of effort has been made to develop various types of CP-based sensors [4,6,8,101,[184][185][186]. The signal transduction mechanism of CPs for sensor applications has mostly relied on changes in the electrical properties.…”

Side-chain effect of organic semiconductors in OFET-based chemical sensors

“…Most of those approaches focused on designing OSC molecules with specific π-conjugated core structures [28,29], bonding or depositing receptors on OSCs [30][31][32], modifying OSC film thickness [33,34], modulating OSC microstructures and morphologies [35,36]. However, the effect of OSC side chain length on OFET chemical sensor performance has not been sufficiently investigated.…”