Diol and triol sensors and associated methods

Abstract

A sensor for sensing diols and triols includes a substrate, a conductive coating, and two electrodes. The conductive coating is disposed on the substrate and has affinity for binding with a substance selected from the group consisting of diols, triols, and a combination thereof. The conductive coating includes PEDOT:PSS and a humectant, which together constitute at least 95 weight percent of the conductive coating. The two electrodes are in contact with the conductive coating to probe conductivity of the conductive coating so as to detect the substance from a reduction of the conductive coating's conductivity.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A sensor for sensing diols and triols, comprising:
 a substrate;   a conductive coating disposed on the substrate and having affinity for binding with a substance selected from the group consisting of diols, triols, and a combination thereof, wherein the conductive coating comprises PEDOT:PSS and a humectant, which together constitute at least 95 weight percent of the conductive coating; and   two electrodes in contact with the conductive coating to probe conductivity of the conductive coating so as to detect the substance from a reduction of the conductive coating's conductivity.   
     
     
         2 . The sensor of  claim 1 , a thickness of the conductive coating being between 20 and 1000 nanometers. 
     
     
         3 . The sensor of  claim 1 , the humectant being glycerin triacetate. 
     
     
         4 . The sensor of  claim 1 , ratio of PEDOT:PSS to glycerin triacetate being in the range from 0.1 to 10 percent volume. 
     
     
         5 . The sensor of  claim 1 , the conductive coating further including boronic acid. 
     
     
         6 . A method for detecting vaping with the sensor of  claim 1 , comprising:
 measuring conductivity of the conductive coating having affinity for binding with an airborne substance selected from the group consisting of diols, triols, and a combination thereof; and   detecting presence of the airborne substance as a decrease in the conductivity.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , the airborne substance including at least one of propanediol and glycerol. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , the step of detecting presence of the airborne substance comprising detecting a decrease in conductivity caused by hydroxyl-group pairs of respective molecules of the airborne substance reacting and covalently bonding with the conductive coating. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , the step of detecting presence of the airborne substance comprising detecting a decrease in conductivity caused by hydroxyl-group pairs of respective molecules of the airborne substance interacting with chains of the conductive coating to disrupt electron distribution of the chains. 
     
     
         10 . A sensor for sensing diols and triols, comprising:
 a substrate;   a conductive coating disposed on the substrate and having affinity for binding with a substance selected from the group consisting of diols, triols, and a combination thereof, wherein the conductive coating comprises PEDOT:PSS and glycerin triacetate, which together constitute at least 95 weight percent of the conductive coating; and   two electrodes in contact with the conductive coating to probe conductivity of the conductive coating so as to detect the substance from a reduction of the conductive coating's conductivity.   
     
     
         11 . The sensor of  claim 10 , a ratio of PEDOT:PSS to glycerin triacetate being in the range from 0.1 to 10 percent volume. 
     
     
         12 . The sensor of  claim 10 , the conductive coating further including boronic acid. 
     
     
         13 . A method for detecting vaping with the sensor of  claim 10 , comprising:
 measuring conductivity of the conductive coating having affinity for binding with an airborne substance selected from the group consisting of diols, triols, and a combination thereof; and   detecting presence of the airborne substance as a decrease in the conductivity.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , the airborne substance including at least one of propanediol and glycerol. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , the step of detecting presence of the airborne substance comprising detecting a decrease in conductivity caused by hydroxyl-group pairs of respective molecules of the airborne substance reacting and covalently bonding with the conductive coating. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , the step of detecting presence of the airborne substance comprising detecting a decrease in conductivity caused by hydroxyl-group pairs of respective molecules of the airborne substance interacting with chains of the conductive coating to disrupt electron distribution of the chains.