Chemical sensing using polypyrrole actuators

In the modern age methods for the calibration of sensors have become particularly important. Situations can arise where the deployment of sensors in the field, particularly in bulk, could be augmented to a very useful degree through the application of some form of autonomous monitoring system. This system would ideally be capable of taking a measurement, relaying the data to a central database and then re-setting the sensor to a default form. Inherently conducting polymers (ICPs) are useful in modem research due to their highly conductive properties when doped, and their concurrent mechanical flexibility. The ICP polypyrrole can be prepared as an electromechanical actuator, capable of operation under low applied power. Through the application of colorimetric dyes to the polypyrrole actuators simple sensors can be developed with the actuator acting as a delivery mechanism of the sensor to the sample of interest. This concept has been developed through the use of LED-based detectors and RGB-analysis of digital images.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

msc

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

masters

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Dublin City University

Year dc:date.issued

2007

Author dc:creator

• Smyth, Ciaran

• Chemical detectors
• Chemistry

Language dc:language

en