Hybrid poly(3-hexyl thiophene)–TiO2 nanorod oxygen sensor

Abstract

Conjugated polymers are promising materials for oxygen sensing owing to their specific interaction with oxygen molecules and also advantages of low cost, easy processing and room temperature operation. The present work for the first time demonstrates an oxygen sensing material of poly(3-hexylethiophene) (P3HT)–TiO₂ nanorod hybrid thin film which reveals considerable improvement of sensing response as compared to the pristine P3HT film. The effects of hybrid composition and film thickness on sensing performance were systematically investigated. Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) was employed to understand the mechanism of oxygen sensing including the control of surface morphologies and electronic properties by TiO₂ incorporation. The hybrid material developed in this study is helpful in the advancement of room temperature oxygen sensing technology.