9 - Polymer nanocomposites for microelectronic devices and biosensors

Abstract

Nanocomposites are the materials of this era. Polymer nanocomposites have sparked much theoretical interest as well as practical applications in a variety of research and industry sectors because they provide materials with excellent processability and great functionality. Nanocomposites achieve a special dimension when embedded with conducting fillers. According to studies, conductive filler networks inside the polymer matrix modulate the electrical conductivity of polymer nanocomposite. Hence, even minor changes in the conductive networks can cause considerable changes in the output electric signal of polymer nanocomposites. Polymer nanocomposites may be used to construct innovative, sensitive sensors for detecting important physical characteristics such as temperature, pressure, strain/stress, solvent, or vapor by utilizing the stimuli-responsive behavior of conductive networks to physical factors. These materials can be employed to design electronic devices due to their adjustable conductivity, great flexibility, and good stability. Traditional electronic devices are composed of semiconductor oxide-based materials. They pose structural problems when reduced to submicron sizes and incorporated into wearable devices. Such obstacles are tackled by using conducting polymer nanocomposites. This chapter describes the characteristics of polymer nanocomposites, analyzes their manufacturing processes, and explores their applicability in microelectronic devices and biosensors. Optical devices, such as organic light-emitting diodes and organic photovoltaic cells, as well as energy-storing supercapacitors, are examples of microelectronic devices. The use of nanocomposites in strain sensing, gas sensing, electrochemical sensing, and temperature sensing are also discussed. The ultimate purpose of this chapter is to describe current advances in the use of polymer nanocomposites in microelectronic devices and biosensors.