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.