Sensors and sensor arrays based on conjugated polymers and carbon
nanotubes*
Liming Dai, Prabhu Soundarrajan, and Taehyung Kim**
Department of Polymer Engineering, College of Polymer
Science and Polymer Engineering, University of Akron, Akron, OH 44304-2909,
USA
Abstract: The need for cheaper, faster, and more accurate measurements
has been a driving force for the development of new sensing devices.
As is well known, the electrical conductivity of conjugated polymers
can be reliably regulated over a wide range through interactions with
electron acceptors and donors. This, together with the fast optical
dynamics (either in the ground or excited states) of most conjugated
polymers, has made conjugated polymers very attractive as transducer-active
materials. On the other hand, the unusual electronic, mechanical, and
thermal properties of carbon nanotubes have also led to their potential
use in a wide range of devices, including sensors. In particular, the
ability of carbon nanotubes and their derivatives to operate as gas
and glucose sensors has been recently demonstrated. This article provides
a status review on the research and development of sensors and sensor
arrays based on conjugated polymers and carbon nanotubes. The unique
features characteristic of most reported sensing transduction modes
related to conjugated polymers and carbon nanotubes are discussed, along
with their pros and cons.
* Special Topic Issue on the Theme
of Nanostructured Advanced Materials
**Corresponding author
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