Ultra-sensitive polymeric sensor platforms for environmental sensing applications

In this article, novel technology-platforms are discussed for possible applications in the field of environmental, security and healthcare sensing using polymeric devices. Carbon nanocomposite based microcantilevers and thin-film transistor embedded microcantilevers are discussed for force sensing applications. It is also demonstrated that exposure of ionizing radiation changes the material properties of organic semiconductors which enables the use of organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs) as ionizing radiation dosimeters. An increase in the work-function has been observed by ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy for the copper(II) phthalocyanine (CuPc) thin-film upon exposure to ionizing radiation of γ-rays. Furthermore, CuPc based OTFTs are demonstrated as ionizing radiation dosimeters with a silicon nitride encapsulation layer deposited by Hot-wire CVD.