Masters Theses
Abstract
"A single-step, bottom-up technique based on a nanostructured conducting polymer has been used to fabricate sensors. Small amounts of aqueous solutions of aniline, a dopant, and an oxidant were placed on an interdigitated electrode array. Ultraviolet (UV)-irradiation of the solutions enhanced polymerization, yielding a highly porous film of polyaniline nanofibers with mean diameters of around 100 nm and lengths on the order of 1 µm. Solutions that were not irradiated formed bulk-like polyaniline films. Nanofibers and bulk polyaniline sensors were exposed to vapors in an argon carrier gas including: chloroform, a weak proton donor; toluene, a vapor that causes polymer swelling; and triethylamine, which alters the doping level. Because of their higher surface areas, the response times of the fiber sensors were faster than those of conventional bulk polyaniline sensors. Sensors were also fabricated from polyaniline/metal nanocomposites using the same one-step technique. The response of the polyaniline/Ag nanocomposite sensor was about a factor of 2-3 times faster than the polyaniline nanofiber sensor exposed to gaseous triethylamine, probably due to the strong interaction between nitrogen atoms and the metal nanoparticles. The thermal stability of polyaniline and its composites was studied by thermogravimetric analysis. These results suggest methods for the advancement of simple and environmentally-friendly production of nanostructured polyaniline-based sensors and electronic devices"--Abstract, page iv.
Advisor(s)
Blum, Frank D.
Committee Member(s)
Bertino, Massimo F.
Schwartz, Robert W.
Kim, Chang-Soo
Department(s)
Materials Science and Engineering
Degree Name
M.S. in Materials Science and Engineering
Sponsor(s)
National Science Foundation (U.S.)
Missouri University of Science and Technology. Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Missouri University of Science and Technology. Department of Chemistry
Publisher
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Publication Date
Summer 2008
Journal article titles appearing in thesis/dissertation
- One-step fabrication of a polyaniline nanofiber gas sensor
- Simple way to fabricate polyaniline/metal nanocomposite devices for gas sensing application
Pagination
xi, 50 pages
Note about bibliography
Includes bibliographical references.
Rights
© 2008 Zhe-Fei Li, All rights reserved.
Document Type
Thesis - Open Access
File Type
text
Language
English
Subject Headings
Conducting polymers
Gas detectors
Nanostructured materials
Polymers -- Structure
Thesis Number
T 9879
Print OCLC #
785624753
Electronic OCLC #
905977998
Link to Catalog Record
Electronic access to the full-text of this document is restricted to Missouri S&T users. Otherwise, request this publication directly from Missouri S&T Library or contact your local library.
http://merlin.lib.umsystem.edu:80/record=b8531704~S5Recommended Citation
Li, Zhe-Fei, "Synthesis of nanostructured conducting polymers and their application as gas sensors" (2008). Masters Theses. 4108.
https://scholarsmine.mst.edu/masters_theses/4108