Screen printed electrodes based on polymer/MWCNT and polymer/G nanocomposite for advanced gas sensing application

Abstract

This paper reported the results of application of screen printed electrodes (SPE) based on polymer/carbon nanostructures (multi wall carbon nanotubes – MWCNT and grapheme – G) for gas sensors. Commercial SPEs were modified by polymers such as conductive polymer Poly Vinylidene Fluorid – PVDF and biocompatible Poly Ethylene Glycol – PEG. Modified SPEs were tested in ammonia vapors with different concentration: 3, 6.2, 12.5 and 25% (wt.). Sensor-testing was performed by monitoring the change in the electrical resistance of the electrodes. The physical characterization of the sensing electrodes was performed by Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) in ATR mode. The surface morphology of CNT/PEG and CNT/ PVDF modifications, after coating with 25% NH3, expressed the effects of ammonia on the surface of the nanocomposite layer. The ammonia solution acts aggressively on the modified surface, causing furrows to form in the uniform structure and very small nanorods of oxides.