Importance

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Abstract

An apparatus may be adaptable for laboratory, field, or in vivo detection and measurement of benzene, benzenoids, or other organic molecules or compounds. A selective binding agent is created by binding a target molecule or similar molecule with an appropriate monomer, polymerizing the monomer, and removing the target or similar molecule. This procedure results in binding agent sites that are highly selective for the target molecule over other similar organic molecules. The finished binding agent is coated onto or otherwise incorporated with an electrode. The size of the electrode diameter may range from a scale of inches to a scale of sub micrometers, depending on the application. In preferred embodiments, polymers templated with a derivatized benzene molecule have shown to be effective even for detection and measurement of benzene, which is non-electroreactive. Benzene in a solution to which the templated polymer is exposed surprisingly results in increased conductivity of the polymer, with the conductivity increasing with increased benzene concentration in the solution.

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First Claim