Researchers at Incheon National University have developed innovative technology aimed at tackling two pressing environmental challenges: electronic waste and air pollution.
The team has created eco-friendly sensors using Organic Field-Effect Transistors (OFETs), which are well-suited for portable gas detection and easy to manufacture. These sensors are designed to detect harmful pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide, a byproduct of fossil fuel combustion linked to respiratory illnesses like asthma and bronchitis.
To achieve this, the researchers combined two polymers: P3HT, an organic semiconductor, and PBS, a biodegradable material. Separate polymer solutions were prepared in chloroform and then blended to form the final sensing layer.
The polymer solutions were applied to silicon surfaces to fabricate the sensors. The choice of solvents played a key role in organizing the polymers effectively. Sensors made using a mixture of chloroform and dichlorobenzene proved to be more uniform and efficient, even when incorporating a high concentration of PBS.
Professor Park highlighted the significance of the development, stating, “Our eco-friendly sensors combine sustainability with high performance. This helps reduce electronic waste, especially in natural environments like oceans.”
These biodegradable sensors offer a promising solution for future environmental monitoring, demonstrating significant potential to protect both public health and the planet.
