ARTICLES COMPRISING TEMPLATED CROSSLINKED POLYMER FILMS FOR ELECTRONIC DETECTION OF NITROAROMATIC EXPLOSIVES

摘要

The present invention provides devices and articles of manufacture comprising a low-voltage operable, highly sensitive, and selectively responsive polymer for the detection of nitroaromatic compounds, including explosives. Resistive devices were fabricated by simple spin-coating on flexible and transparent substrates as well as silicon substrates, and were stable under ambient temperature and oxygen levels before exposure to the nitroaromatics. After exposure to 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), the devices showed increased conductance, even with pg quantities of TNT, accompanied by a confirming color change from colorless to deep red. The relative conductance increase per unit exposure is the highest yet reported for TNT. Aromatic anion salts, on the other hand, did not induce any electronic responses. Methods of making the articles and devices, and their use are also provided.