Polythiophenes and polythiophene-based composites in amperometric sensing

An overview of the polythiophene-based materials introduces the critical exam of meaningful examples of applications of similar electrode materials in electroanalysis. The advantages arising from the use of polythiophene derivatives in such an applicative context is discussed, by considering the organic conductive material as such, and as one of the components of hybrid materials. The rationale at the basis of the combination of two or even more individual components into a hybrid material is discussed with reference to the active electrode processes and to the consequent possible improvements of the electroanalytical performance. With this respect, study cases are presented, considering different analytes, chosen among those that are most frequently reported within the classes of organics and inorganics. The use of a polythiophene matrix to stably fix biological elements at the electrode surface, for the development of catalytic biosensors and genosensors, is also discussed. Finally, a few possible lines along which the next researches in the field could be fruitfully addressed, are outlined. On the other hand, the work still to do in order to exploit the possibilities offered by novel products of organic synthesis, even along paths already traced in other fields of electrochemistry, is invoked.