Polymers sensing devices based

Light Emitting and Sensing Devices Based on Polymers... 

The most widely studied and developed application of the calixarenes is in sensing devices for cation recogniton. Devices based on Langmuir Blodgett films, thermally deposited thin films, or where the calixarene derivatives are immobilized into polymer films have been used in such applications. Sensing may occur through potentio-metric. fiuorometric, or photometric measurements. 

The main purpose of incorporating second phase to polymer matrix is to enhance properties of materials and use them for various applications. The hierarchical structures of polymer composites were also developed for better performances of electronic devices based on them. Here, the mechanical, electrical, electrochemical and electroluminescent, as well as the sensing properties of polymer composites were summarized. 

The main challenge in the field of electrochemical sensors and devices is the use of the conductivity of the polymer matrix to address electronically the active centre. For example, a major issue lies in the devices based on the biotine--avidine interaction. Of course it is possible to operate with a monolayer, but this diminishes the efficiency of the sensor. However, if the material between the sensing part and the electrode is a conducting polymer, the electron transfer occurs usually more efficiently and allows to operate with multilayered systems, as it has been demonstrated by Cosnier et al. [362-364] (Scheme 18.10). 

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