Ecofriendly E-Nose based in PLA and only 0.3 wt% of CNTS

Abstract

In this work, conductive polymer nanocomposites were developed based on a biodegradable and biobased polymer (poly (lactic acid)), with the incorporation of only 0.3 wt% of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to be used as volatile solvent sensors. The correct dispersion of the nanofiller was achieved thanks to a CNT non-covalent modification with an azo-dye (disperse orange 3) which allowed to reach the percolation for electric conduction in values as low as 0.3 wt%. The chemo-resistive properties of the developed sensors were investigated by exposure to organic vapors (ethanol, tetrahydrofuran and toluene) and water vapor, showing good selectivity. In addition, considering the manipulation to which the sensor will be exposed, wear resistance was characterized, finding that the incorporation of CNTs produced an increase in more than a 50%.