An elaborate sensor system based on conducting polymer-oligosaccharides in hydrogel and the formation of inclusion complexes

In this study, electrically conductive materials composed of carboxylated polypyrrole (PPy(COOH)) and nontoxic oligosaccharide molecules (cyclodextrin, CD) were prepared and incorporated into biocompatible hydrogels for use as versatile sensors. The major component, carboxylated polypyrrole nanotubes (PPy(COOH) NTs) were fabricated using microemulsion polymerization and a critical sensing medium CD molecule was introduced via a simple surface engineering method. The resulting PPy(COOH)-CD NT hybrid complexes were incorporated into a hydrogel matrix for biocompatible applications. Consequently, a convenient sensor geometry was constructed by mounting the hydrogel on a gold micropattern for the detection of toxic substances. The feasibility of the produced sensor system was demonstrated, and the sensor performance was measured extensively using electrical measurements. It was found that the sensor could detect a model compound (methyl paraben, MPRB) at concentration as low as 1 nM. This study provides useful information for future research activities in relevant fields.