Rice Husk-Derived Cellulose Nanofibers: A Potential Sensor for Water-Soluble Gases

Abstract

Cellulose and its derivatives have evoked much attention in sensor technology as host-matrices for conducting materials because of their versatility, renewability, and biocompatibility. However, only a few studies have dealt with the potential utilization of cellulose as a sensing material without a composite structure. In this study, cellulose nanofibers (CNF) and 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO)-oxidized cellulose nanofibers (TOCNF) extracted from rice husks by using ultrasonic-assisted methods are introduced as a potential gas sensing material with highly sensitive performance. To fabricate nanocellulose-based films, CNF, TOCNF, and TOCNF with glycerol (TOCNF/G) were dispersed in water and applied on polyimide substrate with digital electrodes to form self-standing thin films by a drop-casting method. A transparent coating layer on the surface of the plate after drying is used for the detection of water-soluble gases such as acetone, ammonia, methane, and hydrogen sulfide gases at room temperature at 52% relative humidity. The sensor prototypes exhibited high sensitivity, and the detection limit was between 1 ppm and 5 ppm, with less than 10 min response and recovery time. The results indicate that both the CNF- and the TOCNF-coated sensors show good sensitivity toward ammonia and acetone, compared to other gases. A TOCNF/G-coated sensor exhibited minimum time in regard to response/recovery time, compared to a CNF-coated sensor. In this study, nanocellulose-based sensors were successfully fabricated using a low-cost process and a bio-based platform. They showed good sensitivity for the detection of various gases under ambient conditions. Therefore, our study results should further propel in-depth research regarding various applications of cellulose-based sensors in the future.

Synthesis and Characterization of Silica and Silica Cellulose from Natural Materials as Matrix for Various Sensor Applications: A Mini Review

“…Sensors based on these matrices can contribute to monitoring environmental parameters such as humidity, temperature, and pollution levels. Silica's stability and robustness make it suitable for outdoor and harsh environments, enabling longterm monitoring of conditions [58].…”

Recent Development and Environmental Applications of Nanocellulose-Based Membranes

“…Sensors detect and transform physical, chemical, and biological changes in their environment and convert them into analytical signals. Nanocellulose, being a natural nanomaterial, is crucial in the development of new sensors, especially in the context of developing a multidimensional architecture [ 123 , 124 , 125 , 126 ]. Table 6 summarizes the recent developments of nanocellulose-based sensors including electrochemical, optical, colorimetric, fluorescent, and biosensors for the detection of various types of pollutants such as heavy metal ions, water-soluble gases, minerals, and salts.…”

“…The porous structure of the modifier and the formation of a compound between copper ions and nitrogen or oxygen-containing groups in DPA-NC may have contributed to the improved electrochemical responsiveness of the modified electrode. Shahi et al [ 125 ] found that the as-prepared CNF and (TEMPO)-oxidized cellulose nanofibers/glycerol (TOCNF/G) sensors demonstrated good gas sensing capability against acetone, ammonia, methane, and hydrogen sulphide after surface modification with TEMPO-mediated oxidation and glycerol. The presence of numerous carboxyl and hydroxyl groups was responsible for the change in ionic conductivity of the sensors in response to gas exposure.…”

A Cellulose-Based Dual-Crosslinked Framework with Sensitive Shape and Color Changes in Acid/Alkaline Vapors

“…Cellulose-based observable detection materials are organic–inorganic hybrids, which include inorganic–organic free-casting hybrid membranes, electro-spun nanomembranes, and porous hybrid detectors [ 11 , 12 , 13 ]. Cellulose nanofibers derived from rice husks are sensitive to water-soluble gases, such as ammonia and acetone [ 14 ]. Pongpat Sukhavattanakul et al developed a sensor based on bacterial cellulose.…”