Lignin-Based Nanostructured Sensor for Selective Detection of Volatile Amines at Trace Levels

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Chemical Sensing

Background:

• Volatile amines pose risks in environmental, industrial, and healthcare settings.
• Existing detection methods often lack selectivity, sensitivity, or real-time capabilities.
• Lignin and polylactic acid offer biocompatible and functional platforms for sensor development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a nanostructured sensing platform for selective volatile amine detection.
• To integrate gold-decorated lignin nanoparticles (AuLNPs) with electrospun polylactic acid (PLA) fibers.
• To investigate the sensor's performance, including selectivity, sensitivity, and the influence of relative humidity.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a composite material using electrospun PLA nanofibres and AuLNPs.
• Characterization of the composite material's surface morphology and chemical properties.
• Testing the sensor's response to various amine vapors, including dimethylamine (DMA), under different relative humidity (RH) conditions.

Main Results:

• The AuLNP/PLA composite exhibited selective adsorption of amine vapors, with a strong affinity for DMA.
• A limit of detection (LOD) of approximately 440 ppb for DMA was achieved.
• Relative humidity significantly influenced sensor performance by facilitating amine protonation, enhancing detection.

Conclusions:

• The developed nanostructured sensor demonstrates high selectivity, sensitivity, and reproducibility for amine detection.
• The integration of AuLNPs and lignin into PLA fibers creates a promising sensing platform.
• The sensor holds potential for real-time monitoring applications in environmental, industrial safety, and healthcare diagnostics.