In situ polymerised polypyrrole films for sensors application
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present fabrication process of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) sensors based on polypyrrole material deposited on different substrates and to show and compare the responses of the produced sensors to different VOCs.
Design/methodology/approach
Polypyrrole sensing layers were prepared by in situ chemical polymerisation on two different substrates: alumina and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET). The time of the polymerisation was varied. After film deposition, an interdigitated electrode was screen-printed on the material deposited on the substrate.
Findings
It was demonstrated that both polymerisation time and substrate type provide means to vary the sensitivity of polypyrrole-based sensors to VOCs.
Practical implications
VOCs, which are released in manufacturing or use of various products and materials, pose a threat to the environment and human health. Therefore, measures must be taken to control their concentration both in indoor and outdoor air.
Originality/value
Deposition of a conductive polymer film on the substrate via in situ chemical polymerisation followed by screen-printing of an interdigitated electrode on the polymer surface offers a fast and an effective method of chemiresistor-type sensor fabrication.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by FP7 Marie Curie (grant no. 28,948) (within SENSEIVER project – Low-cost and energy-efficient LTCC sensor/IR-UWB transceiver solution for sustainable healthy environment). The authors would like to thank University of Novi Sad for carrying out scanning electron microscopy studies.
Citation
Zawadzka, M., Kulawik, J., Szwagierczak, D. and Zaraska, K. (2014), "
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited