CdSe quantum dots-poly(3-hexylthiophene) nanocomposite sensors for selective chloroform vapor detection at room temperature

Olive oil capped CdSe quantum dots (QDs) of average size similar to 6 nm have been grown by a green chemical route synthesis for the fabrication of nanocomposite organic vapor sensing devices. A highly selective, room temperature chloroform vapor sensor has been fabricated using capped CdSe QDs and conducting polymer [poly(3-hexylthiophene)] nanocomposites. The nanocomposite sensor has been tested with the choloroform vapor of concentration varying from 100-1200 ppm at room temperature using different bias voltages. The recovery time of the sensor has been found to be improved on illumination with a monochromatic light of 600 nm, due to the photo-induced enhancement of charge transfer in nanocomposites. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4762861]