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Nanomaterials enabled chemical sensors: The detection of hydrocarbons with a high degree of sensitivity and selectivity

  • State University of New York (SUNY)
  • SUNY Albany

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Nanocomposite materials composed of CdSe quantum dots embedded in polymer matrices were studied for their potential development and use as highly sensitive and selective hydrocarbon sensing materials. Multi-level selectivity enhancement characteristics have been incorporated into the design of this nanocomposite system to provide the high level of selectivity required for future field measurements. This has been achieved by using a combination of stabilizing and a "surface enhancing" group attached to the surface of CdSe semiconductor quantum dots. Benzoic acid (BA), pentafluorbenzoic acid (FBA) or naphthylamine (NA) was used as the surface enhancing group. The modified QDs were embedded into a poly (methyl methacrylate) polymer film. Reversible photoluminescence changes of the QDs were observed upon exposure to toluene and xylenes vapors. A comparison of the sensitivity and selectivity of the QD-BA, FBA and NA films was made for 50ppm toluene in N2 and 50ppm xylenes in N2 exposures revealed that the QD-FBA film had the best overall performance. By reducing the NA surface group coverage by a factor of 10 the detection limit of the QD-NA films was reduced by a factor of ∼3.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2006 5th IEEE Conference on Sensors
Pages444-447
Number of pages4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2006
Event2006 5th IEEE Conference on Sensors - Daegu, Korea, Republic of
Duration: Oct 22 2006Oct 25 2006

Publication series

NameProceedings of IEEE Sensors

Conference

Conference2006 5th IEEE Conference on Sensors
Country/TerritoryKorea, Republic of
CityDaegu
Period10/22/0610/25/06

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