Electronic polymer based low-cost sensor developed to detect explosives rapidly

What is the news?

For the first time, Indian scientists have developed a thermally stable and cost-effective electronic polymer-based sensor for rapidly detecting nitro-aromatic chemicals (NACs)  used in high-energy explosives.

About the findings

Poly-nitroaromatic compounds in explosives generally require sophisticated instrumental techniques to detect them. But in the field, like military sites, extremists locations, they require simple, cheap, and selective field techniques which will be non-destructive in nature to make quick decisions.

But such Non-destructive sensing of nitroaromatic chemicals (NACs) is difficult. To overcome such disadvantages, a team of scientists has developed a layer by layer (LBL) polymer detector consisting of two organic polymers. The sensor device comprises three layers of polymers.

What is the significance of the invention?

The detection of explosives without destroying them is essential for protection, and criminal investigations. The tri-layer polymer matrix was found to be a very efficient molecular sensor for nitroaromatic chemicals. An electronic sensing device builds around a polymer gas sensor can quickly detect the explosive on-site.

The device can be operated at room temperature, has a low response time and negligible interference from other chemicals. So, it will help in the faster detection of NACs used in high-energy explosives.

Source: This post is based on the article ”Electronic polymer-based low-cost sensor developed to detect explosives rapidly” published in PIB on 24th September 2021.