Patent ID: 6315956
Filing Date: 2001-11-13
Classification: G01N,H01B

Abstract:
A reversible electrochemical sensor for detecting the presence of chemical analytes comprising:(a) a conductive polymer composite of an immiscible polymer blend, said blend comprising (1) a conductive filler material, (2) a minor phase material in which said conductive filler material is dispersed in an amount sufficient to generate a continuous conductive network in said minor phase material and forming a binary composite, and (3) a major phase material with an affinity for at least one analyte, said major phase material being a polymer which when mixed with said binary composite will not engage in electrostatic interactions that promote miscibility, said major phase material having said binary composite dispersed therein in an amount sufficient to generate a continuous conductive network in said major phase material and forming a conducive ternary composite having distinct co-continuous phases; and(b) a pair of electrodes in electrical contact with said conductive ternary composite, wherein electrical properties of said conductive ternary composite undergo a reversible change when in proximity to at least one analyte.