Development Of Flexible Sensors With Conjugated Polymers

Official URL: https://risc01.sabanciuniv.edu/record=b3205834

Flexible electrode-based sensors are a specific type of sensing technology that incorporates flexible and bendable materials as the sensing elements. Unlike conventional rigid electrodes, these sensors are designed to adapt to irregular surfaces or be integrated into flexible substrates, enabling their utilization in various applications where flexibility and conformability are essential. This thesis study aims to develop flexible sensors by integrating conjugated polymers with conductive surfaces. To pursue this objective, two distinct sensor systems were developed and investigated for their potential applications. Initially, an electrochemical pH sensor with a Polyaniline (PANI) coating was designed. The pH sensitivity of the sensor was evaluated by performing open-circuit potential measurements using a potentiostat. The second system involved an interdigitated electrode (IDE) based gas sensor coated with Polydiacetylene (PDA). The sensitivity of the gas sensor was assessed by monitoring the changes in impedance values using an LCR meter. Both sensor systems were fabricated by depositing patterned silver (Ag) electrodes onto PET film using the E-beam evaporation method, then applying the respective responsive sensing materials using the drop cast method. The results demonstrated the successful realization of a flexible PANI-coated pH sensor capable of detecting various pH values and a PDAcoated gas sensor exhibiting sensitivity towards acetic acid. These findings contribute to the advancement of flexible sensor technologies for health and food-related potential applications.