Miniature nitro and peroxide vapor sensors using nanoporous thin films

Abstract

With the increased and continuous threat of terrorist attacks in public areas, new sensors are required to safeguard the public from homemade explosive devices. Current commercial sensors for explosive vapors are high-cost, bulky equipment, not amenable to mass production, thus limiting their widespread deployment within society. We are conducting research on polymer-based microsensors that can overcome these limitations. Our devices offer an approach to the realization of low-cost sensors that can readily be placed as a network of electronic sentinels that can be permanently located in the areas of public access. The polymers are chemically tailored to have a high affinity for nitro and peroxide vapors and are grown electrochemically on microelectrodes. Novel nanoporous polymer-based sensors are demonstrated with a detection level of 200 ppb of nitro vapors. In addition, a prototype reversible sensor for peroxide vapors is demonstrated to low ppm concentrations.