Open AccessElectrospray Deposition of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes-OH/ Polyvinylidene Fluoride Nanocomposites for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Detection
Author(s) -
Akinwunmi Joaquim,
Omari Paul,
Anthony Thai,
Aya Jones,
April Falconer,
R. Mu,
Frances Williams
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of advanced materials science and engineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2771-666X
DOI - 10.33425/2771-666x.1005
Subject(s) - polyvinylidene fluoride , materials science , carbon nanotube , chemical engineering , nanocomposite , polymer , van der waals force , adsorption , electrospray , nanotechnology , composite material , organic chemistry , chromatography , mass spectrometry , chemistry , molecule , engineering
In this work, we report on the synthesis and performance evaluation of electrosprayed multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/ Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) nanocomposite materials for gas detection of volatile organic compounds. MWCNTs are characterized by a hollow structure, large surface area and several unique properties that make them potentially excellent for gas sensing. However, in order to improve their sensitivity, stability and reproducibility effects, the carbon nanotubes were doped with PVDF polymer in a minimal concentration such that it utilizes its strong binding effect with interconnected nanotubes and the substrate and further, the polymer does not affect the dominance of MWCNTs on the surface as observed from SEM characterization. The electrospray deposition technique, combined with sonication, was used to ensure the MWCNT was dispersed evenly in the polymer matrix, as MWCNTs tend to aggregate due to their strong Van der Waals forces. The sensing mechanism and the kinetic adsorption of gases on the sensors were studied and the experimental result shows that MWCNT-OH/PVDF sensor revealed a larger sensitivity than that of MWCNT-OH sensor to tested VOCs at room temperature.