New phosphorescent oxygen-sensitive materials based on nanostructured high density polyethylene and polypropylene films are described. The polymer substrates undergo treatment by a solvent crazing process to create a well-developed network of controlled, nanometer-size pores. Indicator dye molecules are then embedded by physical entrapment in such nanostructures which subsequently can be healed. Such sensors demonstrate improved working characteristics and allow simple, cost-efficient production and disposable use. They are well suited for large-scale applications such as nondestructive control of residual oxygen and "smart" packaging.
Lead halide perovskites are very promising materials for many optoelectronic devices. They are low cost, photostable, and strongly photoluminescent materials, but so far have been little studied for sensing. In this article, we explore hybrid perovskites as sensors for explosive vapor. We tune the dimensionality of perovskite films in order to modify their exciton binding energy and film morphology and explore the effect on sensing response. We find that tuning from the 3D to the 0D regime increases the PL quenching response of perovskite films to the vapor of dinitrotoluene (DNT)—a molecule commonly found in landmines. We find that films of 0D perovskite nanocrystals work as sensitive and stable sensors, with strong PL responses to DNT molecules at concentrations in the parts per billion range. The PL quenching response can easily be reversed, making the sensors reusable. We compare the response to several explosive vapors and find that the response is strongest for DNT. These results show that hybrid perovskites have great potential for vapor sensing applications.
Trace sensing of explosive vapours is a method in humanitarian demining and Improvised Explosives Device (IED) detection that has received increasing attention recently, since accurate, fast, and reliable chemical detection is highly important for threat identification.However, trace molecule sampling in the field can be extremely difficult due to factors including weather, locale, and very low vapour pressure of the explosive. Preconcentration of target molecules onto a substrate can provide a method to collect higher amounts of analyte for analysis. We used the commercial fluoropolymer Aflas as a preconcentrator material to sorb explosive molecules to the surface, allowing subsequent detection of the explosives via the luminescence quenching response from the organic polymer Super
ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPTHighlights Trace detection of explosive vapours is challenging in real-world environments. By "preconcentrating" trace vapours onto solid substrates, higher amounts can be collected for detection. Our approach combines fluoropolymer preconcentrators, free-flying honeybees for sampling, and luminescent thin films as the sensing mechanism. The inexpensive, commercially-available fluoropolymer Aflas has shown good preconcentration abilities for 2,4-DNT which is typically found in landmines. Laboratory results and initial field results indicate this method is a very promising tool for the detection of trace explosive vapours in contaminated land.
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