Implications of Thermal Annealing on the Benzene Vapor Sensing Behavior of PEVA-Graphene Nanocomposite Threads.

The effect of thermal treatments, on the benzene vapor sensitivity of polyethylene (co-)vinylacetate (PEVA)/graphene nanocomposite threads, used as chemiresistive sensors, was investigated using DC resistance measurements, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). These flexible threads are being developed as low-cost, easy-to-measure chemical sensors that can be incorporated into smart clothing or disposable sensing patches. Chemiresistive threads were solution-cast or extruded from PEVA and <10% graphene nanoplatelets (by mass) in toluene. Threads were annealed at various temperatures and showed up to 2 orders of magnitude decrease in resistance with successive anneals. Threads heated to ≥80 °C showed improved limits of detection, resulting from improved signal-noise, when exposed to benzene vapor in dry air. In addition, annealing increased the speed of response and recovery upon exposure to and removal of benzene vapor. DSC results showed that the presence of graphene raises the freezing point, and may allow greater crystallinity, in the nanocomposite after annealing. SEM images confirm increased surface roughness/area, which may account for the increase response speed after annealing. Benzene vapor detection at 5 ppm is demonstrated with limits of detection estimated to be as low as 1.5 ppm, reflecting an order of magnitude improvement over unannealed threads.

Preconcentration and detection of chlorinated organic compounds and benzene.

Remote and automated detection of organic compounds in subsurface aquifers is crucial to superfund monitoring and environmental remediation. Current monitoring techniques use expensive laboratory instruments and trained personnel. The use of a filled tubular preconcentrator combined with a chemicapacitive detector array presents an attractive option for the unattended monitoring of these compounds. Five preconcentrator materials were exposed to common target compounds of subsurface remediation projects (1,1,2-trichloroethane, trichloroethylene, t-1,2-dichloroethylene, benzene, and perchloroethylene). Rapid heating of the tube caused the collected, concentrated effluent to pass over the surface of a chemicapacitive detector array coated with four different sorbent polymers. A system containing a porous ladder polymer and the sensor array was subsequently used to sample the analytes injected onto sand in a laboratory test, simulating a subsurface environment. With extended collection times, effective detection limits of 5 ± 3 ppbV for 1,1,2-trichloroethane and 145 ± 60 ppbV for benzene were achieved. Effects of the preconcentrator material structure, the collection time, and sensor material on the system performance were observed. The resultant system presents a solution for remote, periodic monitoring of chlorinated organic compounds and other volatile organic compounds in a soil matrix.

Detection of methyl salicylate using polymer-filled chemicapacitors.

Methyl salicylate (MeS) is used as a chemical warfare agent simulant to test chemical protective garments and other individual personal protective gear. The accurate and real-time detection of this analyte is advantageous for various testing regimes. This paper reports the results of MeS vapor exposures on polymer-filled capacitance-based sensors at temperatures ranging from 15 degrees C to 50 degrees C under dry and humid conditions. Multiple capacitors were arranged in an array on a silicon chip each having a different sorptive polymer. The sensors used parallel-plate electrode geometry to measure the dielectric permittivity changes of each polymer when exposed to water and MeS vapor. Of the four polymers tested against MeS, the optimal polymer displayed near or sub-parts-per-million detection limits at 35 degrees C (0-80%RH).