Organic Semiconductor Sensor Stability in Aqueous Media
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing organic semiconductor-based sensors for detecting target species in aqueous media face stability issues when exposed to air and aqueous environments, with existing materials showing significant degradation and changes in transfer curves over time.
Innovation Solution
The use of a mixture of polymer semiconductors and small molecule organic compounds with electronegative groups, such as nitrile and fluorine groups, which maintain a stable transfer curve for at least 24 hours when exposed to air and exhibit minimal change in on-current, even in the presence of high ionic species, by incorporating additives like F4-TCNQ and TCNQ that stabilize the semiconductor characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If organic semiconductor materials are used in sensor devices for detecting target species in aqueous media, then the sensors can be flexible and stretchable for direct skin contact, but the stability of the organic semiconductor in aqueous media environment deteriorates over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the organic semiconductor by incorporating electronegative groups (nitrile and fluorine) into the molecular structure. This parameter change increases the electron affinity and stability of the semiconductor material, allowing it to maintain stable transfer curves for at least 24 hours in aqueous media while retaining its flexible and stretchable properties for skin contact applications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite organic semiconductor system by combining polymer semiconductors with small molecule organic compounds containing electronegative groups. This composite material approach synergistically combines the processability of polymers with the stability and electron affinity of small molecules bearing nitrile and fluorine groups, achieving both flexibility and aqueous media stability
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional organic semiconductor materials are exposed to air, then they can be easily processed and handled, but their transfer curve changes significantly over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the organic semiconductor by introducing electronegative groups (nitrile and fluorine) with Pauling scale rankings higher than 2. This parameter change increases the electron affinity and stabilizes the material against environmental degradation, maintaining consistent transfer curves for at least 24 hours while preserving ease of processing and handling
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces specific functional groups (nitrile and fluorine groups) at localized positions within the organic semiconductor structure. These localized electronegative groups create regions of high electron affinity that stabilize the overall material properties, allowing the bulk material to maintain stable transfer curves while remaining easy to process and handle
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor device for detecting a target species in an aqueous media and/or measuring the concentration of a target species in an aqueous media, the sensor device comprising: (a) an active semiconductor comprising an organic semiconductor material that exhibit substantially the same transfer curve for a period of at least 24 hours when first exposed to air; and (b) a structure for directing an aqueous media into contact with the sensor device.