NTE Phase I (Exploratory): Molecularly Imprinted Conducting Polymer Scaffolds for Sensing and Measurement

Kilbey，S. Michael等.克莱姆森大学“NTE：第一阶段（探索性）：用于传感和测量的分子印迹导电聚合物支架“该探索性研究项目的目的是开发和测试一种产生分子印迹聚合物层的新方法，所述分子印迹聚合物层与用于传感和发信号的导电聚合物交错. PI将评价这些层结合并通过电活性变化发出拟除虫菊酯存在信号的能力。 之所以选择这类危险杀虫剂，是因为其在城市环境中越来越多地用于防治携带西尼罗河病毒等疾病的蚊子，还因为拟除虫菊酯的共同结构特征提供了开发通用（而非特定）传感器的潜力。 分子印迹导电聚合物支架将使用3-乙烯基噻吩创建。该材料允许在模板拟除虫菊酯存在下通过表面限制原子转移自由基聚合（SC ATRP）生长层;在层生长之后，将使用电化学聚合来偶联整个层中的噻吩基团。 这种两步过程的优点是明显的：SC ATRP允许层的受控生长，随后的电化学聚合交联支架并将导电聚合物整合到整个网络中，从而提供“板上”传感和信号传导能力。PI将使用标准光谱技术研究处理对层的影响，并使用各种电化学技术评估支架对目标拟除虫菊酯的反应。 PI将比较印迹和非印迹材料的性能，以评价印迹支架对目标拟除虫菊酯的特异性。 更广泛的影响：这项工作将为环境工程，材料工程和纳米技术等领域的研究生和本科生研究人员提供培训基地。这些主题与化学工程师的就业趋势是一致的。通过现有的方案在克莱姆森，机会，从代表性不足的群体的学生参加这项研究，这将有助于确保这些研究活动促进跨学科的培训基地。 将开发的基于新支架的传感器可用于被动监测城市地区的拟除虫菊酯。由于拟除虫菊酯会影响内分泌和神经系统，这种传感器可以更好地监测分散的剂量，提高官员保护公民的能力。 如果这些新的分子印迹导电聚合物支架被证明是强大的模板和检测目标分子，该方法可能会刺激新的举措，以生产具有“板载”信号功能的传感器，可以集成在更广泛的传感器阵列中，并扩大电子鼻（阻抗传感器）的应用。

Kilbey, S. Michael, et al.Clemson University"NTE: Phase I (Exploratory): Molecularly Imprinted Conducting Polymer Scaffolds for Sensing and Measurement"The objective of this exploratory research project is to develop and test a novel method of creating molecularly imprinted polymer layers that are interlaced with conducting polymers for sensing and signaling. The PI's will evaluate the ability of these layers to bind and signal, though changes in electroactivity, the presence of pyrethroids. This class of hazardous insecticide has been selected because of its growing use in urban environments against mosquitoes that carry diseases such as West Nile Virus and because a common structural feature in pyrethroids offers the potential to develop a general (rather than specific) sensor. The molecularly imprinted conducting polymer scaffolds will be created using 3-vinylthiophene. This material allows the growth, via surface confined atom transfer radical polymerization (SC ATRP), the layer in the presence of the template pyrethroid; following layer growth, electrochemical polymerization will be used to couple the thiophene groups throughout the layer. The advantages of this two-step process are distinct: SC ATRP permits controlled growth of the layer, and subsequent electrochemical polymerization crosslinks the scaffold and integrates the conducting polymer throughout the network, thereby providing "on-board" sensing and signaling capabilities. The PI's will use standard spectroscopic techniques to investigate the effect of processing on the layer and a variety of electrochemical techniques to assess the response of the scaffolds to the presence of the target pyrethroids. The PI's will compare the performance of imprinted and non-imprinted materials to evaluate the specificity of the imprinted scaffolds to the target pyrethroids. Broader Impacts:This work will provide a training ground for graduate and undergraduate researchers in areas such as environmental engineering, materials engineering, and nanotechnology. These themes are consistent with employment trends for chemical engineers. Through existing programs at Clemson, opportunities for students from underrepresented groups to participate in this research, which will help ensure that these research activities foster an interdisciplinary training ground. Sensors based on the new scaffolds that will be developed could be used for passive monitoring of pyrethroids in urban areas. Because pyrethroids affect the endocrine and nervous systems, such sensors would allow better monitoring of dispersed dosages and improve the ability of officials to protect citizens. If these novel molecularly-imprinted conducting polymer scaffolds prove to be robust for templating and detecting target molecules, the approach is likely to spur new initiatives to produce sensors with "on-board" signaling capabilities that can be integrated in broader sensor arrays, and expand the applications for electronic noses (impedimetric sensors).