Hybrid nanostructured materials based on conjugated polymers and metallic nanoparticles for sensor applications

Abstract

Nanomaterials such as nanoparticles, nanofibers and nanostructured films are promising for the development of miniaturized devices. Among such nanomaterials, polymeric nanofibers stands out due to their high surface are and good mechanical properties. Nanostructured polymeric films are of great applicability for the development of chemical sensors such as the electronic tongue. More recently, newly hybrid architectures formed by the combination of organic nanostructured films and metallic nanoparticles have been employed for sensors fabrication. Such devices combine the properties of the single constituent materials, yielding the final device optimized properties (including electrical and optical one). In this project we propose the fabrication of electrospun nanofibers from insulating polymer doped with conducting and electroluminescent polymers, as well as with metallic nanoparticles. We also propose the fabrication of hybrid nanostructured films based on conjugated polymers and metallic nanoparticles, aiming at application in optical and chemical sensors, including the electronic tongue sensor. Such sensors will be applied in analysis of water and milk, contaminated with several analytes, including antibiotics and hormones. For the characterization of morphology, roughness and physico-chemical properties, of hybrid nanofibers and nanofilms, we will employ techniques such as: UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, FTIR, thermal analysis, X-Ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, fluorescence and confocal microscopy, and characterization of electrical properties in AC and DC regime. (AU)