Design of supramolecular sensors and their applications to optical chips and organic devices

Abstract

In nature, molecular recognition is crucial to induce functions as living systems. Bioinspired molecular recognition chemistry has been intensively studied for more than half a century since the discovery of crown ethers. Chemical sensors are a concrete representative example of the application of artificial molecular recognition materials. The sensors have the ability to visualize the recognition phenomena and provide quantitative information on an analyte. However, developing chemical sensors that fully meet the requirements for practical application is still challenging. To this end, the author has focused on a cross-hierarchical and comprehensive development of chemical sensors based on molecular recognition chemistry and supramolecular chemistry. Through the efforts with bottom-up and top-down approaches, the author has contributed to the progress of practical supramolecular analytical chemistry which allows identification of target chemical species in real samples, and realization of sensor devices for on-site detection. This account summarizes the author's recent achievements for chemical sensors including the design of artificial receptors, optical chemosensor arrays, and organic field-effect transistors.