Highly Sensitive NH₃ Detection Based on Organic Field-Effect Transistors with Tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane as Receptor

We have increased organic field-effect transistor (OFET) NH(3) response using tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane (TPFB) as a receptor. OFETs with this additive could detect concentrations of 450 ppb v/v, with a limit of detection of 350 ppb, the highest sensitivity reported to date for semiconductor films; in comparison, when triphenylmethane (TPM) or triphenylborane (TFB) was used as an additive, no obvious improvement in the sensitivity was observed. These OFETs also showed considerable selectivity with respect to common organic vapors and stability toward storage. Furthermore, excellent memory of exposure was achieved by keeping the exposed devices in a sealed container stored at -30 °C, the first such capability demonstrated with OFETs.