초록 ▼

A chemoresistive gas sensor is provided which has improved sensitivity. A layer of organic semiconductor is disposed between two electrodes which, in turn, are connected to a voltage source. High conductivity material is dispersed within the layer of organic semiconductor in the form of very small p

A chemoresistive gas sensor is provided which has improved sensitivity. A layer of organic semiconductor is disposed between two electrodes which, in turn, are connected to a voltage source. High conductivity material is dispersed within the layer of organic semiconductor in the form of very small particles, or islands. The average interisland spacing is selected so that the predominant mode of current flow is by way of electron funneling. Adsorption of gaseous contaminant onto the layer of organic semiconductor modulates the tunneling current in a quantitative manner.

대표청구항 ▼

An apparatus for sensing gaseous contaminants, the apparatus comprising: a layer of organic semiconductor on a surface of an associated substrate material, the associated substrate material being nonconductive; a first electrode and a second electrode attached to the layer of organic semiconductor a

An apparatus for sensing gaseous contaminants, the apparatus comprising: a layer of organic semiconductor on a surface of an associated substrate material, the associated substrate material being nonconductive; a first electrode and a second electrode attached to the layer of organic semiconductor at spaced locations on the surface of the associated substrate material, the first electrode and second electrode being connected to an associated voltage source; and a plurality of islands of high conductivity material dispersed within the layer of organic semiconductor, the plurality of islands having an average interisland spacing such that a detectable amount of current traverses between the first electrode and the second electrode by electron tunneling between tne islands of high conductivity material.