Poly(phenyleneethynylene) polymers bearing glucose substituents as promising active layers in enantioselective chemiresistors

Poly(phenyleneethynylene) (PPE) conjugated polymers bearing glucose units are used as enantioselective active layers in vapor-sensing devices. As a novel approach, a conjugated polymer bearing chiral pendant groups is used to detect different enantiomers, natural and synthetic menthol molecules in the present case. The surface analytical characterization of the organic layer reveals a compact and smooth morphology. By means of a quartz crystal microbalance revealing system, the polymer bearing glucose chiral sites is demonstrated to interact more favorably with the natural menthol. Promising perspectives are seen for the use of such polymers in chiral, chemically sensitive resistors or even transistors. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.