sensors-logo

Journal Browser

Journal Browser

Polymers Based Sensors

A special issue of Sensors (ISSN 1424-8220). This special issue belongs to the section "Chemical Sensors".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 September 2019) | Viewed by 13185

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Polymer Research Group, Faculty of Science, University of Burgos, 09001 Burgos, Spain
Interests: polymers; polymer sensors; high performance polymers; polymers for advanced applications; design and synthesis of advanced polymers; monomers; monomer synthesis; chemical sensors; supramolecular chemistry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Polymer Research Group, Faculty of Science, University of Burgos, 09001 Burgos, Spain
Interests: polymers; micro and nanocellular polymers; design, synthesis and characterization of high performance polymers; nanoporous sensory polymers; polymer foaming processes
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Polymer Research Group, Faculty of Science, University of Burgos, 09001 Burgos, Spain
Interests: polymers; polymer sensors; high performance aramids; design, synthesis and characterization of polymers; polymers for advanced applications
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The development of supramolecular chemistry by Pedersen, Cram, and Lehn in the 1960s brought forth the growth of a new research field called chemical sensors or chemosensors. These molecules present a receptor which provides information about the chemical composition of its environment through selective interaction with target molecules or analytes. Although they present many advantages, especially their low weight, they are generally water insoluble, exhibit moderate to low light and thermal stability, and tend to migrate when they are dispersed in physical supports, thus limiting their applicability.

In the last few decades, the optimization of polymer-based chemistry has led to a completely new family of sensory materials and devices employing polymers, which have the ability to respond reversibly or irreversibly to different stimuli (temperature, pH, biological molecules, etc.) in their environment. The response can take place in several ways, such as through the modification of surface properties or changes in shape, solubility, color or fluorescence, and can be generally transduced to originate a measurable change through electrical, colorimetric, or piezoelectric variations. This kind of polymers shows interesting properties, combined to the recent optimization of their synthesis and fabrication processes, and can be manufactured into different shapes, such as micro/fibers, films, beads, coatings, or wires. For these reasons, polymer-based sensors are employed in a wide range of applications, with special interest in the use in medical devices and biomedical applications, drug delivery, tissue engineering, as well as bio/sensors.

This Special Issue on Polymer-Based Sensors is devoted to the discussion and dissemination of the latest research in this interesting and quick-evolving field. Special attention will be given to the last developments in the synthesis of specific polymers for recent sensing applications, such as the detection of biomedical and biological molecules, the design of new sensory devices based on polymers, and the optimization of the sensing characteristics of classical sensory polymers employed in the detection of cations and anionic species, explosives or pollutants, which are of particular interest in environmental, food security, and civil and military protection.

Prof. Dr. José Miguel García
Dr. José Antonio Reglero Ruiz
Dr. Miriam Trigo-López
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sensors is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • polymer chemosensors
  • colorimetric sensors
  • fluorescence sensors
  • electrochemical sensors
  • piezoelectric sensors
  • polymeric sensory devices
  • detection of explosives and chemical warfare agents
  • sensing of cations and anionic species
  • detection of biomolecules
  • detection of biomedical analytes
  • sensing of pollutants

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

9 pages, 2490 KiB  
Article
Hydrogen Detection with SAW Polymer/Quantum Dots Sensitive Films
by Izabela Constantinoiu and Cristian Viespe
Sensors 2019, 19(20), 4481; https://doi.org/10.3390/s19204481 - 16 Oct 2019
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3230
Abstract
Regarding the use of hydrogen as a fuel, it is necessary to measure its concentration in air at room temperature. In this paper, sensitive composite films have been developed for surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors, using quantum dots (QDs) and polymers. Si/SiO2 [...] Read more.
Regarding the use of hydrogen as a fuel, it is necessary to measure its concentration in air at room temperature. In this paper, sensitive composite films have been developed for surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors, using quantum dots (QDs) and polymers. Si/SiO2 QDs were used due to having a high specific surface area, which considerably improves the sensitivity of the sensors compared to those that only have a polymer. Si/SiO2 QDs were obtained by laser ablation and analyzed by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Two types of polymers were used: polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). Polymer and polymer with QDs compositions were deposited on the sensor substrate by drop casting. A heat treatment was performed on the films at 80 °C with a thermal dwell of two hours. The sensors obtained were tested at different hydrogen concentrations at room temperature. A limit of detection (LOD) of 452 ppm was obtained by the sensor with PDMS and Si/SiO2 QDs, which was heat treated. The results demonstrated the potential of using QDs to improve the sensitivity of the SAW sensors and to achieve a heat treatment that increases its adsorption capacity of the gas molecules. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers Based Sensors)
Show Figures

Figure 1

9 pages, 4344 KiB  
Communication
Room Temperature Hydrogen Gas Sensing via Reversible Hydrogenation of Electrochemically Deposited Polycarbazole on Interdigitated Pt Transducers
by Agnieszka Stolarczyk, Tomasz Jarosz and Marcin Procek
Sensors 2019, 19(5), 1098; https://doi.org/10.3390/s19051098 - 4 Mar 2019
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3285
Abstract
In this study, polycarbazole (PCz) is presented as a receptor structure for chemoresistive hydrogen sensors. The fabrication of the proposed sensors via electropolymerisation of PCz on interdigitated Pt electrodes is an inexpensive, cost-efficient, and repeatable method. Preliminary results presented in this work show [...] Read more.
In this study, polycarbazole (PCz) is presented as a receptor structure for chemoresistive hydrogen sensors. The fabrication of the proposed sensors via electropolymerisation of PCz on interdigitated Pt electrodes is an inexpensive, cost-efficient, and repeatable method. Preliminary results presented in this work show that PCz-based sensors are sensitive to hydrogen gas in the range of 1–4% in air at room temperature. Notably, responses are both relatively high (from approximately 280% for 1% of H2) and rapid (response and recovery times for 1% H2 from 5 s and up to 32 s, respectively). Results of PCz structures on Pt and Au electrodes prove that the application of Pt electrodes is crucial for observation of sensing effect. A sensing mechanism based on reversible hydrogenation of PCz is proposed to explain the sensor operating principles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers Based Sensors)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

9 pages, 2491 KiB  
Article
Sensory Polymeric Foams as a Tool for Improving Sensing Performance of Sensory Polymers
by Blanca S. Pascual, Saúl Vallejos, Cipriano Ramos, María Teresa Sanz, José A. Reglero Ruiz, Félix C. García and José M. García
Sensors 2018, 18(12), 4378; https://doi.org/10.3390/s18124378 - 11 Dec 2018
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2684
Abstract
Microcellular sensory polymers prepared from solid sensory polymeric films were tested in an aqueous Hg(II) detection process to analyze their sensory behavior. First, solid acrylic-based polymeric films of 100 µm thickness were obtained via radical copolymerization process. Secondly, dithizone sensoring motifs were anchored [...] Read more.
Microcellular sensory polymers prepared from solid sensory polymeric films were tested in an aqueous Hg(II) detection process to analyze their sensory behavior. First, solid acrylic-based polymeric films of 100 µm thickness were obtained via radical copolymerization process. Secondly, dithizone sensoring motifs were anchored in a simple five-step route, obtaining handleable colorimetric sensory films. To create the microporous structure, films were foamed in a ScCO2 batch process, carried out at 350 bar and 60 °C, resulting in homogeneous morphologies with cell sizes around 5 µm. The comparative behavior of the solid and foamed sensory films was tested in the detection of mercury in pure water media at 2.2 pH, resulting in a reduction of the response time (RT) around 25% and limits of detection and quantification (LOD and LOQ) four times lower when using foamed films, due to the increase of the specific surface associated to the microcellular structure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers Based Sensors)
Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 1636 KiB  
Article
Evidence of Reactivity in the Membrane for the Unstable Monochloramine during MIMS Analysis
by Essyllt Louarn, Abdoul. Monem Asri-Idlibi, Julien Leprovost, Michel Héninger and Hélène Mestdagh
Sensors 2018, 18(12), 4252; https://doi.org/10.3390/s18124252 - 3 Dec 2018
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3438
Abstract
Membrane Inlet Mass Spectrometry (MIMS) was used to analyze monochloramine solutions (NH2Cl) and ammonia solutions in a compact FTICR. Chemical ionization enables identification and quantification of the products present in the permeate. The responses of protonated monochloramine and ammonium increase linearly [...] Read more.
Membrane Inlet Mass Spectrometry (MIMS) was used to analyze monochloramine solutions (NH2Cl) and ammonia solutions in a compact FTICR. Chemical ionization enables identification and quantification of the products present in the permeate. The responses of protonated monochloramine and ammonium increase linearly with the solution concentration. The enrichments were respectively 1.2 and 5.5. Pervaporation is dependent on pH and only the basic form of ammonia NH3 pervaporates through the membrane. Unexpectedly, the small ammonia molecule permeated very slowly. It could be due to interactions with water molecules inside the membrane that create clusters. Moreover, NH2Cl solutions, in addition to the NH3Cl+ signal, presented a strong NH4+ signal at m/z 18.034. Ammonia presence in the low-pressure zone before ionization is probable as NH4+ was detected with all the precursors used, particularly CF3+ and trimethylbenzene that presents a proton affinity higher than monochloramine. Ammonia may be formed inside the membrane due to the fact that NH2Cl is unstable and may react with the water present in the membrane. Those results highlight the need for caution when dealing with chloramines in MIMS and more generally with unstable molecules. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers Based Sensors)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Back to TopTop