Poly(phenylene ethynylene)-coated aligned ZnO nanorod arrays for 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene detection

The structure of ZnO nanorods coated with fluorescent polymer poly(phenylene ethynylene) (PPE) have been fabricated for 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) detection. In this structure, hydrothermally synthesized crystalline ZnO nanorod arrays were used as waveguides and supporting materials for the TNT sensitive polymer, PPE. The evanescent-wave guiding property of the ZnO nanorod waveguide considerably increased fluorescence intensity. The space between the adjacent nanorods and the larger surface-to-volume ratio of the nanorods enhanced the fluorescence response (quenching) to TNT vapor. This work will contribute to design of combining ZnO nanorod arrays with a functional polymer for sensor applications.