Film-Based Electronic Volatile Acid Vapor Sensor with Ultrahigh Sensitivity for Real-Time Analysis

Global industrialization leads to the discharge of harmful volatile acid vapors into the environment, causing damage to various forms of life. Therefore, the development of rapid sensing systems for monitoring of volatile acid vapors is of significance for a safe and clean environment. Herein, the properties of a conjugated organic moiety combined with a commercial economic polymer to obtain composite film are designed for the selective detection of volatile acid vapor, viz., hydrogen chloride. The excellent electrical behavior of the obtained film thus allows its efficient use as a smart sensor film for the detection of hydrogen chloride vapors with quick response, reversibility, and selectivity with a low detection limit of 9 ppb. Taking advantage of this remarkable behavior in response to acid vapors, we have designed an electronic prototype for on-field applications with visual detection of hydrogen chloride vapors in ambient conditions. Compared to the other exploited approaches for hydrogen chloride detection, the polymer-supported active-film-based prototype is simple, portable, and cost-effective and can be used for real-time monitoring.