Electrospinning of Polystyrene/Polyhydroxybutyrate Nanofibers Doped with Porphyrin and Graphene for Chemiresistor Gas Sensors

Abstract

Structural and functional properties of polymer composites based on carbon nanomaterials are so attractive that they have become a big challenge in chemical sensors investigation. In the present study, a thin nanofibrous layer, comprising two insulating polymers (polystyrene (PS) and polyhydroxibutyrate (PHB)), a known percentage of nanofillers of mesoporous graphitized carbon (MGC) and a free-base tetraphenylporphyrin, was deposited onto an Interdigitated Electrode (IDE) by electrospinning technology. The potentials of the working temperature to drive both the sensitivity and the selectivity of the chemical sensor were studied and described. The effects of the porphyrin combination with the composite graphene–polymer system appeared evident when nanofibrous layers, with and without porphyrin, were compared for their morphology and electrical and sensing parameters. Porphyrin fibers appeared smoother and thinner and were more resistive at lower temperature, but became much more conductive when temperature increased to 60–70 °C. Both adsorption and diffusion of chemicals seemed ruled by porphyrin according its combination inside the composite fiber, since the response rates dramatically increased (toluene and acetic acid). Finally, the opposite effect of the working temperature on the sensitivity of the porphyrin-doped fibers (i.e., increasing) and the porphyrin-free fibers (i.e., decreasing) seemed further confirmation of the key role of such a macromolecule in the VOC (volatile organic compound) adsorption.

Post Processing Strategies for the Enhancement of Mechanical Properties of ENMs (Electrospun Nanofibrous Membranes): A Review

“…This range can be termed as the processing window or optimum range beyond which electrospinning is not possible. Many applications of electrospun fibers and membranes include biomedical (tissue engineering [12][13][14], drug delivery [15][16][17], immobilization of enzymes [18][19][20], wound dressing [21][22][23] and antibacterial membranes [24][25][26]), textiles [27][28][29], separation membranes (Li ion battery separators [30][31][32], distillation [33][34][35] and filtration membranes [36][37][38]), sensors [39][40][41], and high performance composite materials (reinforcing agents [42][43][44] or vascular networks of healing agents [45][46][47]), etc.…”

Recent Trends and Developments in Graphene/Conducting Polymer Nanocomposites Chemiresistive Sensors

“… SEM images of ( a ) polydiacetylene (PDA)/graphene film (adapted from reference [ 140 ]), and ( b ) rGO-polythiophene (PTh) hybrid, ( c ) response of sensors based on PTh and rGO-PTh to different gases at room temperature (adapted from reference [ 141 ]), and ( d ) sensitivity values changes of PS and polyhydroxibutyrate (PHB) doped with 5,10,15,20-tetraphenylporphyrin (H 2 TPP) and mesoporous graphene to water vapors, toluene and acetic acid (adapted from reference [ 142 ]). …”

Polymer-Based Biomaterials: An Emerging Electrochemical Sensor

“…It is water-insoluble and relatively resistant to hydrolytic degradation. This differentiates polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) from most other currently available biodegradable plastics, which are either water-soluble or moisture-sensitive (Avossa et al 2019). Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as binders and stabilizers were respectively incorporated into a commercially available aqueous PEDOT:PSS dispersion to address the above-mentioned issues by studying flexibility, soaking stability, adhesion stability, cycle stability, and conducting property (Liu et al 2012).…”