Conducting Polymeric Nano/Microstructures: From Fabrication to Sensing Applications

Abstract

By utilizing a variety of different lithographic methods (such as tip lithography, e-beam lithography and nanoimprinting lithography) on conducting polymers with various compositions (e.g., polypyrrole, polyaniline or copolymers) with surface active monomer, we will be able to fabricate conducting polymeric structures at nanoscale. The size of the resulting conducting polymer nanostructure can be controlled with a structural resolution higher than 100 nm. By carefully studying the properties of these nanostructures, we find that they can be utilized as an ammonia gas sensor with high sensitivity, fast response and good reversibility. In addition, a size-effect is observed for the nanosensor device, with the sensitivity being reverse proportional to its size.