Electrospray Deposition of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes-OH/ Polyvinylidene Fluoride Nanocomposites for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Detection

Abstract

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.