Conducting polymer sensors for monitoring aromatic hydrocarbons using an electronic nose

The possibility of detecting volatile aromatic hydrocarbons using the concept of an electronic nose is demonstrated. An array of sensors based on polypyrrole polymers has been used to identify and quantify the benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, xylene (BTEX) compounds. A number of dopants have been investigated in terms of their ability to form suitable electrochemically deposited polymer films and to detect the analyte gases with sufficient sensitivity and reproducibility. A group of eight polymers has been found to meet most of the requirements for this application.