Molecularly imprinted polymer sensors

Abstract

Systems and methods for the detection of one or more target molecules, such as benzene, are described. The systems and methods may include a molecularly imprinted polymer film; a sensing material, wherein the molecularly imprinted polymer film comprises a polymer host with one or more binding sites for one or more target molecules. The molecularly imprinted polymer film may be coated upon the sensing material.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for detecting a non-polar target molecule, comprising:
 exposing a polymer film to a gas, air sample, or vapor, the polymer film being molecularly imprinted with a non-polar template molecule to form cavities complementary in shape to a non-polar target molecule, each of the cavities forming a binding site specific for the non-polar target molecule; and   measuring a change of the polymer film, to detect the non-polar target molecule in the gas, air sample, or vapor.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , the non-polar template molecule being the non-polar target molecule or a non-polar homolog molecule having same shape as the non-polar target molecule. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , the non-polar target molecule being benzene. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , the non-polar template molecule being benzene. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , the non-polar target molecule being selected from the group consisting of benzene, toluene, and xylene. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , the change being a change in resistance or capacitance upon binding of the non-polar target molecule to the polymer film.