Semiconducting polymer thin film sensors for detection of toxic gases

Abstract

The development of efficient devices for detection of toxic gases in the environment is an important, challenge in the area sensor development. The selection of proper material to act as a selective interface to mediate between the outside environment and the sensor transducer is very crucial. The recent development of semiconducting polymer materials, with every imaginable combination of physical and chemical characteristics for fabrication of sensors has led to the fabrication of efficient gas sensors. The diversity of properties of these polymers enables them to provide a wide range of applications in sensor technology. These

polymers do not suffer from the drawback of preparation complications and synthesis complexities and have a long shelf-life and efficiency. A method of large-scale production of a new class of sensing polymers, the semiconducting polymers is described in this paper. The sensors show excellent sensitivity in the thin film form. The thin films are prepared by vacuum deposition method, hence a reliance on a dry technology. These sensors find applications in industrial, technological, medical, civilian and strategic sector. This has led to the development of low cost, efficient and simple to operate sensor devices that can be positioned remotely and can he used for on-line monitoring. Semiconducting polymeric thin film sensors are the latest devices to be used for the above mentioned applications and have been tested for their efficiency, reliability, cost effectiveness and performance. The most important advantage of these polymeric sensors is their room temperature operation and high sensitivity.