10.1021/nl902382s.s001 Alvaro Díaz Aguilar Alvaro Díaz Aguilar Erica S. Forzani Erica S. Forzani Mathew Leright Mathew Leright Francis Tsow Francis Tsow Avi Cagan Avi Cagan Rodrigo A. Iglesias Rodrigo A. Iglesias Larry A. Nagahara Larry A. Nagahara Islamshah Amlani Islamshah Amlani Raymond Tsui Raymond Tsui N. J. Tao N. J. Tao A Hybrid Nanosensor for TNT Vapor Detection American Chemical Society 2010 Hybrid Nanosensor trace chemicals preconcentration capability polymer nanojunction conductance change reduction product TNT interferent polymer nanojunctions detection mechanism reduction products electrochemical reduction 2010-02-10 00:00:00 Journal contribution https://acs.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/A_Hybrid_Nanosensor_for_TNT_Vapor_Detection/2793127 Real-time detection of trace chemicals, such as explosives, in a complex environment containing various interferents has been a difficult challenge. We describe here a hybrid nanosensor based on the electrochemical reduction of TNT and the interaction of the reduction products with conducting polymer nanojunctions in an ionic liquid. The sensor simultaneously measures the electrochemical current from the reduction of TNT and the conductance change of the polymer nanojunction caused from the reduction product. The hybrid detection mechanism, together with the unique selective preconcentration capability of the ionic liquid, provides a selective, fast, and sensitive detection of TNT. The sensor, in its current form, is capable of detecting parts-per-trillion level TNT in the presence of various interferents within a few minutes.