Breakthrough – New Green Sensors Deliver Top-Tier Gas Detection

South Korean researchers have pioneered a breakthrough in eco-friendly gas detection technology, blending organic semiconductors with biodegradable polymers to create durable, high-performance gas sensors that combat air pollution and electronic waste.

Innovation Tackles Key Challenges

Organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) stand out for portable air quality monitors due to their lightweight, flexible design and ease of production, but traditional versions degrade quickly from moisture and oxygen exposure.

This leads to performance drops and mounting e-waste issues amid rising demand for reliable NO2, SO2, and CO2 detection gases linked to respiratory illnesses like asthma and bronchitis.

A team from Incheon National University’s Department of Energy and Chemical Engineering, led by Professor Yeong-Don Park, overcame this by mixing poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT), a common organic semiconductor with poly(butylene succinate) (PBS), a fully biodegradable polymer. Through smart solvent engineering, they produced films that maintain sensitivity even at 90% PBS content, far surpassing prior limits.

Solvent Engineering Drives Superior Results

Researchers tested two solvent approaches: pure chloroform (CF) and a chloroform-dichlorobenzene (CF:DCB) blend. CF films showed horizontal phase separation for rougher surfaces and peak initial sensitivity, while CF:DCB enabled vertical separation for smoother, uniform layers that preserved function up to high PBS ratios.

Gas tests confirmed boosted sensitivity to NO2 over other pollutants as PBS rose, with CF:DCB versions offering stable long-term response.

Both types gained flexibility and fully biodegraded in seawater, ideal for disposable or marine use.

Key Insights

Prof. Yeong-Don Park emphasized the dual benefits: “Using PBS, a well-known biodegradable polymer, and effective solvent engineering, we demonstrated that high sustainability and device performance can be achieved simultaneously.”

He added a forward-looking view: “Our eco-friendly and resource-efficient gas sensors open up new possibilities for environmentally sustainable gas sensing technologies suitable for large-scale or disposable applications. In the long term, biodegradable organic sensors could significantly reduce electronic waste, especially for sensors deployed in natural or marine environments.”

Incheon National University supports this as part of its push for green electronics innovation, aligning with global efforts to cut pollution from short-lived devices. The work appeared online September 24, 2025, in Chemical Engineering Journal (Volume 523).

This advance promises widespread adoption in wearables, industrial safety, and environmental monitoring, blending top-tier detection with planet-friendly disposal.

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