Abstract
In the present work, we report the use of regioregular poly(3-hexyltiophene) polymer (RR-P3HT) as a potential light-activated material for sensing the chemical nerve agent simulant dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP). The electrical response of thick films of RR-P3HT, deposited by spray-coating method onto a porous laminate substrate at room temperature, to DMMP vapours was investigated. The studied material was activated by light-emitting diodes that emitted light of different wavelengths. The sensing properties of RR-P3HT are considerably enhanced upon exposure to blue and yellow light. However, excitation by the low wavelength light (blue) caused degeneration of the material, resulting in lowered stability. In the case of the yellow light, degeneration was much slower and the limit of detection was 0.4 ppm. The studied material exhibited high selectivity, as it did not respond to 6 ppm of acetone and methanol vapours.
Highlights
Chemical warfare agents (CWA), especially nerve agents, are highly lethal compounds
We propose regioregular poly (3-hexyltiophene) (RR-P3HT) as a potential material that is sensitive to dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP)
In a previous work [20], we presented the preliminary results of our investigations of the capability of regioregular poly(3-hexyltiophene) polymer (RR-P3HT)—activated using white light—of detecting DMMP
Summary
Chemical warfare agents (CWA), especially nerve agents (e.g., sarin and soman), are highly lethal compounds. Sarin is one of the best-known chemical weapons of mass destruction. This odourless and colourless compound causes neuromuscular paralysis and death by suffocation within 1–10 min of exposure. Disabling and lethal exposures to sarin occur in 10 min above 15 and 64 ppb, respectively [1]. Since they can be used for military tests and against civilians, the development of fast CWA sensors with low detection thresholds is considered an urgent issue. Studies are usually carried out using dimethyl methylphosphate (DMMP), a non-toxic organophosphorus compound with a similar structure to sarin
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