Ambient stable perylene diimide anion radical for high conductivity and potential application as chemiresistive sensor

Abstract

PurposeThis paper aims to compare the electronic properties of perylene diimide derivatives (DFPDI) and its anion radical (DFPDI.-k.+) thin film by drop-coating of organic molecules on the interdigitated electrodes.Design/methodology/approachThe authors compared the electronic properties of perylene diimide derivatives and its anion radical by drop-coating of organic molecules on interdigitated electrodes. Significantly, the current of perylene diimide derivatives anion radical increased by 2∼3 orders of magnitude compared to perylene diimide derivatives under a bias of 5 V, and the maximal current of anion radical that from tetrahydrofuran solution can reach 3.6 mA. Furthermore, DFPDI.-k.+ thin film showed time-resistance sensitivity for acetic acid. When DFPDI.-k.+ thin film was placed in acetic acid of 3.1 × 105 ppm, the current was decreased 46 times under a bias of 6 V after 8 min.FindingsWe developed the new method to prepare ambient stable perylene diimide derivatives anion radical, which shows sensitivity of absorption spectra to acid.Originality/valuePerylene diimide derivatives anion radical thin film showed time-resistance sensitivity for acetic acid, suggesting potential application of perylene diimide derivatives anion radical as acid sensor.