Electrospun (Nickel and palladium) tin(IV) oxide/polyaniline/polyhydroxy-3-butyrate biodegradable nanocomposite fibers for low temperature ethanol gas sensing
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-1-2020
Abstract
Tin (IV) oxide (SnO2) nanostructures are regarded as one of the most popular materials for conventional gas sensors, due to their high surface area and fast response in regard to most reducing and oxidizing gases. However, their high operating temperature (>200 degrees C) leads to high power consumption and limits their applications. Here, a new nanocomposite fiber materials, consisting of undoped and doped (nickel and palladium) SnO(2)nanorods, polyaniline (PANI), and polyhydroxy-3-butyrate (P3HB) are synthesized via the hydrothermal method,followed by anin situpolymerization and electrospinning technique. The as-synthesized nanocomposites are tested using ethanol gas at different operating temperatures: 25 degrees C (room temperature), 60 degrees C, and 80 degrees C. The results reveal that all samples began to show a response at 80 degrees C. Pd:SnO2/PANI/P3HB nanocomposite fiber sensors demonstrate a relatively higher response than that of SnO2/PANI/P3HB and Ni:SnO2/PANI/P3HB nanocomposite sensors. At 80 degrees C , the Pd:SnO2/PANI/P3HB nanocomposite sensor records a response (R-0/R-g) of 1610, with a response time (T-res)of 90 s and a recovery time (T-rec) of 9 min in relation to 1000 ppm ethanol gas in N-2. The sensor also displays a good level of response (R-0/R-g= 200) at a low concentration level (50 ppm) of ethanol gas. Structural and chemical characterizations indicate that the ethanol gas sensing performance of Pd:SnO2/PANI/P3HB nanocomposite fibers can mainly be attributed to the p-n heterojunction, fiber geometry, and one-dimensional structure of SnO(2)and to the presence of the Pd catalyst. This bio-nanocomposite fiber has the potential to be a breakthrough material in biodegradable low temperature ethanol sensing applications.
Keywords
Tin oxide nanorods, Low temperature gas sensor, Polyaniline nanocomposite, Polyhydroxy-3-butyrate, Electrospinning technique
Divisions
fac_eng
Funders
Fundamental Research Grant Scheme - Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) Malaysia [203/PKIMIA/6711363]
Publication Title
Nanotechnology
Volume
31
Issue
42
Publisher
Institute of Physics
Publisher Location
TEMPLE CIRCUS, TEMPLE WAY, BRISTOL BS1 6BE, ENGLAND