Electrospun soluble conductive polypyrrole nanoparticles for fabrication of highly selective n-butylamine gas sensor

Abstract

A three-dimensional and highly porous polypyrrole (PPy) film was successfully coated onto a copper interdigital electrode (Cu-IDE) surface by electrospinning of soluble PPy nanoparticles.The chemical composition of PPy nanoparticles was analyzed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis confirmed the porous nature of PPy nanoparticles. The field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) images of polymer coated Cu-IDE revealed that PPy nanoparticles were assembled by electrical forces to form an outstanding honeycomb-like architecture. As a proof-of-concept demonstration of the functional properties of the electrospun PPy (Es-PPy) film, the polymer coated Cu-IDE was investigated as a sensing device for gas sensor.The as-prepared Es-PPy film proved to be a viable aliphatic amines sensing material with large response, low detection limit, fast response and good repeatability at a low operating temperature of 150˚C. Moreover, the sensor demonstrated an extremely high sensitivity and selectivity to nbutylamine. The calibration sensitivity to n-butylamine is up to three orders of magnitude higher than that of other common aliphatic amines. The detection limit and linear range for determination of n-butylamine were 0.42 ppm and 10.54-21.08 ppm, respectively. Es-PPy gas sensor exhibited good repeatability with RSD ≤ 8% at temperature ranges 90-200°C. The response of the Es-PPy sensor to n-butylamine was compared with electrochemically and drop coated sensors and found that it has an extremely higher response. Finally, the Es-PPy gas sensor was successfully applied to real well water sample analysis.

Ethanol Gas Sensitivity Sensor Based on Roughened POF Taper of Modified Polypyrrole Films

“…The chemical polymerization can control the PPy morphology by varying the reactant concentration and reaction time. Ferric chloride (FeCl 3 ), ammonium sulfate, and ammonium persulfate were used as oxidants to prepare PPy films [21][22][23]. Machida et al [24] studied the effects of different configuration solutions on the oxidation of FeCl 3 and pyrrole.…”

Sensors from Electrospun Nanostructures

“…Electrospun conductive polypyrrole nanofibres coating a copper interdigital electrode has been used to produce an aliphatic amines gas sensor with low detection limit (0.42 ppm for n-butylamine), quick response and good repeatability at temperatures between 90 and 200°C [58]. PAni/poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) nanofibres containing urease have been used as NO 2 sensors, showing a significant conductivity increase in the presence of levels of NO 2 in the range of 1-7 ppm [59].…”

Surface functionalized nanocellulose as a veritable inclusionary material in contemporary bioinspired applications: A review

“…These metal oxide‐based sensors only works best in high temperatures environment, therefore consuming more energy and cost to operate. Conducting polymers, most notably polypyrrole (PPy), polyaniline (PANI), and polythiophene (PTh) were introduced to address this issue as they are able to perform their task at ambient temperatures. Doping process through protonation and redox reaction was performed to improve on the conductivity of the polymers .…”