Various Effects on the Growth of Tetrathiafulenve Salt Nanowires

Tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) salts such as (TTF)Br_0.76 are a suitable material for the synthesis of one dimensional (1D) nanostructures. It exhibits rod formation when electrocrystalized at certain parameters on gold substrates. Unlike bulk TTF, salt derivatives such as (TTF)Br_0.76 exhibit high electrical conductivity which can be utilized with its nanocharacteristics for many uses including gas sensing. Due to the large surface area to volume ratio of nanorods, surface effects become predominant. Gas interactions at the surface become measurable and allow for potentially cheap, sensitive, organic gas sensors to be produced. By maximizing the length, quantity, and conductivity of (TTF)Br_0.76 nanorods, the sensitivity, selectivity, and response time can be greatly improved, further increasing its potential in industry and environmental safety as well as public safety and military defense.

Different sensor patterns and different growth parameters will be studied in a design of experiment (DOE) to discover optimal growth conditions. These conditions will then be used in further studies evaluating the technologies potential in a commercial product.