Self-amplifying semiconducting polymers for chemical sensors.

The ability of excited states (excitons) to migrate rapidly and efficiently through conjugated polymers makes these materials ideal for use in sensors based on fluorescence quenching or amplification of fluorescence signals. The structural features of the conducting polymers allow for design of highly sensitive fluorescent sensors for specific analytes such as the explosive trinitrotoluene (TNT) and to create assemblies that control energy transfer along a predetd. path. The principles involved have broad utility in the design of sensory materials and of electronic devices and display components based on electronic polymers. [on SciFinder(R)]