A high sensitivity acetone gas sensor based on polyaniline-hydroxypropyl methylcellulose core-shell-shaped...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Chemical Sensing

Background:

• Polyaniline emeraldine salts (PANi) are conductive polymers with potential sensing applications.
• Existing acetone sensors often struggle with humidity interference and sensitivity limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize core-shell-shaped nanoparticles (CSS-NPs) for highly sensitive and humidity-stable gaseous acetone detection.
• To investigate the sensing mechanism and performance of the novel material.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of C8F-doped PANi@HPMC CSS-NPs.
• Characterization using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and infrared spectroscopy (IR).
• Acetone gas sensing performance evaluation under varying humidity conditions.

Main Results:

• Achieved high sensitivity for acetone detection as low as 50 ppb at 25 °C.
• Demonstrated reliable signal detection across a wide relative humidity range (0-80%) due to C8F hydrophobic doping.
• Elucidated the reaction mechanism between the CSS-NPs and acetone gas via spectroscopic methods.

Conclusions:

• The developed C8F-doped PANi@HPMC CSS-NPs show significant potential as a novel sensing material for trace-level acetone detection (<1 ppm) in human respiratory gas.
• The core-shell structure and hydrophobic shell provide excellent sensitivity and humidity stability.
• This advancement could lead to improved non-invasive diagnostic tools.