Fabrication and Characterization of Electrospun Semiconductor Nanoparticle—Polyelectrolyte Ultra-Fine Fiber Composites for Sensing Applications

Abstract

Fluorescent composite fibrous assembles of nanoparticle-polyelectrolyte fibers are useful multifunctional materials, utilized in filtration, sensing and tissue engineering applications, with the added benefits of improved mechanical, electrical or structural characteristics over the individual components. Composite fibrous mats were prepared by electrospinning aqueous solutions of 6 wt% poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) loaded with 0.15 and 0.20% v/v, carboxyl functionalized CdSe/ZnS nanoparticles (SNPs). The resulting fluorescent composite fibrous mats exhibits recoverable quenching when exposed to high humidity. The sensor response is sensitive to water concentration and is attributed to the change in the local charges around the SNPs due to deprotonation of the carboxylic acids on the SNPs and the surrounding polymer matrix.

Crosslinking poly(allylamine) fibers electrospun from basic and acidic solutions

“…6). This 'filming-out' behavior is likely due to the hygroscopic characteristic of PAH and is consistent with previous reports on the polyelectrolyte PAA, which was observed to swell at a higher relative humidity [32]. Both crosslinking methods improved the morphological stability of the PAH mats (Fig.…”

“…Previously, incorporation of PAH-HCl with PEO and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) increased the charge density of the electrospinning solution to facilitate fiber formation [28][29][30][31][32][33]. Chunder et al [34] electrospun PAH-HCl (70000 Da) by pairing it in a one-to-one ratio with the weak anionic polyelectrolyte, poly(acrylic acid) (PAA, 90000 Da).…”

A resistive-type sensor based on flexible multi-walled carbon nanotubes and polyacrylic acid composite films

“…PAA is very hygroscopic and sensitive to small amounts of moisture; therefore, it is useful for sensing pH, humidity, and metal ions [21,22]. To disperse high amounts of MWCNTs in PAA, PSS was used as a surfactant.…”

Fabrication and characterization of centrifugally spun poly(acrylic acid) nanofibers

“…The adsorption capability of PAA allows for its use in water treatment as a metal ion scavenger and its use in disposable diapers . PAA has also been used in lithium‐ion batteries as a binder for better battery performance and a recent study has been reported on the use of composites containing PAA for humidity sensing due to the sensitivity of PAA to humidity . The antimicrobial properties of PAA together with other polymers and composites have been studied as well .…”

“…of composites containing PAA for humidity sensing due to the sensitivity of PAA to humidity. 29 The antimicrobial properties of PAA together with other polymers and composites have been studied as well. [30][31][32] One of these particular studies conducted by Gratzl et al show that PAA containing diblock copolymers exhibit antimicrobial properties displaying better results with increasing acrylic acid content.…”