PEDOT:PSS/PEDOT Film Chemiresistive Sensors for Hydrogen Peroxide Vapor Detection under Ambient Conditions

Abstract

Hydrogen peroxide (aqueous solution of H2O2) is one of the most used reagents i n medical sterilization, environmental disinfection, food storage, and other fields. However, hydrogen peroxide has the potential to cause serious harm to biological health and environmental safety. There are many methods (especially electrochemistry) for H2O2 detection in liquid phase systems, but a lack of methods for vapor detection. This is due to its colorless and tasteless nature, as well as the oxidative activity of the molecule and its coexistence with humidity. In this study, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS), one of the most commercially successful and widely used conductive polymers, was employed to fabricate an all-organic chemiresistive sensor for simple, real-time, and on-site sensing of hydrogen peroxide vapor (HPV) at room temperature. In comparison with pristine PEDOT:PSS film, the PEDOT:PSS/PEDOT film was prepared by in situ electrochemical polymerization. Upon exposure to different concentrations of HPV, it was found that the hydrophobic and porous PEDOT layer could weaken the interference of humidity in HPV sensing, resulting in a more sensitive and accurate response. At 1.0 ppm HPV concentration, the resistance signal response was increased by nearly 89% compared with the pristine PEDOT:PSS film. This PEDOT-film-based chemiresistive sensor showcases the possibility for further development of nonenzymatic HPV monitoring technology.