Issue 43, 2020

Molecular understanding of a π-conjugated polymer/solid-state ionic liquid complex as a highly sensitive and selective gas sensor

Abstract

Electric-field driven chemical doping modulation in a blend of solution-processed organic semiconductors (OSCs) and solid-state ionic liquids (SSILs) in response to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) provides a new exciting opportunity to facilitate printable and low-power chemical gas sensors (chemiresistors). In order to fully exploit this opportunity, a fundamental understanding of the molecular-level interactions among the OSCs, SSILs, and VOC components during the device operation is urgently needed. Herein, we demonstrate a highly sensitive and selective VOC gas sensor using π-conjugated polymer (here, P3HT as a model homopolymer) and SSIL blends. A newly developed SSIL forms a semi-crystalline solid at room temperature. P3HT with high molecular weight and regioregularity allows an extremely well-interconnected network in blends desirable for efficient charge transport. In P3HT:SSIL blends, we identify electric-field driven strong chemical interactions between π-CP and SSIL to tune the electrical conductivity of the π-CP. The enlarged interfacial areas in blends and the solid-state nature of the SSIL ensure highly tunable electrochemical interactions between them, efficiently modulating the electrical conductivity of the π-CP further upon exposure to different polar and non-polar VOCs. Our results demonstrate the π-conjugated polymer/SSIL complex as a new highly sensitive and selective gas sensor and provide a key scientific understanding of its molecular-level operational mechanism critical for developing molecular sensors towards next generation noninvasive diagnostics.

Graphical abstract: Molecular understanding of a π-conjugated polymer/solid-state ionic liquid complex as a highly sensitive and selective gas sensor

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
30 Jūn. 2020
Accepted
06 Aug. 2020
First published
06 Aug. 2020
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY-NC license

J. Mater. Chem. C, 2020,8, 15268-15276

Molecular understanding of a π-conjugated polymer/solid-state ionic liquid complex as a highly sensitive and selective gas sensor

K. Stewart, S. Limbu, J. Nightingale, K. Pagano, B. Park, S. Hong, K. Lee, S. Kwon and J. Kim, J. Mater. Chem. C, 2020, 8, 15268 DOI: 10.1039/D0TC03093G

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