Preparation and Investigation of Toluene-Sensing Properties of Polymer/Inorganic Composite and Multi-Layer Films

Abstract

In this paper, poly 4-vinylphenol (P4VP)/multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) composite film, P4VP/ carbon black (CB) composite film and P4VP/MWNTs multi-layer sensitive films prepared using airbrush technology were deposited on interdigitated electrodes to detect tolunene vapor at room temperature. The surface of the composite film was observed under a scanning electron microscope (SEM). It was found that the resistance of the sensor increased after the exposure to toluene vapor and the increased magnitude of the changes had a good linearity with concentrations of toluene. Meanwhile, the P4VP/MWNTs composite film sensor also has a higher sensitivity than P4VP/CB composite film sensor. P4VP/MWNTs three-layer film sensor was fabricated as well. It was estimated that the response time and recovery time of P4VP/MWNTs three-layer films sensor were about 15 s and 20 s, respectively. The sensor responses of S=0.12% at 10mg/m3 toluene vapor for P4VP/MWNTs three-layer films. The results showed that the multi-layer films sensor exhibited a lower detection limit and better sensing properties compared with the sensors based composite film.