Regioregular Polythiophene Nanowires and Sensors

We have developed and synthesized highly conductive regioregular poly(3-alkylthiophene) (rr-PAT) derivatives for use in sensor arrays on a chip. Poly(3-alkylthiophene)s are ideally suited for this application because of their excellent electrical properties, solution processability and our ability to modify their chemical structure. Here, we synthesized rr-PATs that have different side chains and different end groups. The polymers were ink-jetted onto ChemFET devices on a chip and their chemical sensing properties were tested to a variety of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The sensors demonstrated ppm level sensitivity and selectivity to all VOCs tested, including both polar and non-polar compounds