Polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) are a type of material composed of nanofillers and a polymer matrix. Incorporating nanofillers into the polymer matrix increases the optical, electronic, and mechanical characteristics of the PNCs, resulting in superior sensing capabilities.
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What Are Sensors?
Sensors are devices that can detect and measure physical or chemical variations in the environment. Sensors are used in various applications such as healthcare, food safety, and environmental monitoring. The performance of sensors is mainly impacted by their sensitivity and selectivity.
The sensitivity of sensors is the ability to detect minute alterations in their environment, selectivity, on the other hand, refers to the sensor's capacity to differentiate between multiple analytes. PNCs in sensing applications have great potential to enhance both sensitivity and selectivity of sensors.
Incorporation of Nano-fillers in the Polymer Matrix of Sensors
Incorporating nanofillers into a sensor's polymer matrix increases its sensitivity by enhancing the available surface area for sensing applications. Nanofillers, such as carbon nanotubes, graphene, and metallic oxide nanoparticles, enhance the interaction with analytes due to high surface area-to-volume ratios.
The increased surface area of PNCs improves sensitivity by allowing the sensor to detect reduced analyte concentrations. In addition, the unique electrical and optical capabilities of nanofillers can be employed to generate highly sensitive and selective sensors. Graphene has been used as a nanofiller in gas sensors. The large surface area and electrical conductivity of graphene enable the identification of low concentrations of gases such as nitrogen dioxide and methane.
PNCs used in sensing applications also improve selectivity by enabling the identification of certain analytes. The ability to modify the surface chemistry of nanofillers to selectively bind to certain analytes allows for the development of sensors with enhanced detection characteristics.
Strategies to Enhance Sensing Performance of PNCs
The use of advanced fabrication techniques, such as electrospinning and 3D printing, can enhance the sensing performance of PNCs. Electrospinning is a technique that produces polymer nanofibers with diameters ranging from a few nanometers to a few micrometers. The high ratio of surface area to volume of these nanofibers makes them excellent for sensing applications. Moreover, electrospinning can be utilized to insert nanofillers into polymer nanofibers, resulting in enhanced sensing performance.
Another method for fabricating PNC-based sensors with complex structures and specific characteristics is 3D printing. 3D printing can be employed to manufacture sensors with incorporated nanofillers, which enables the development of more sensitive and selective sensors.
Sensing Applications of Polymer Nanocomposites
Gas sensing, biosensing, and chemical sensing are some sensing applications of polymer nanocomposites. Carbon monoxide, methane, and nitrogen dioxide concentrations can all be detected and measured using gas sensors composed of polymer nanocomposites.
Polymer nanocomposites-based biosensors have enormous potential for use in healthcare and medical diagnostics. They can detect and measure biological substances, including proteins, DNA, and glucose. Chemical sensors made of polymer nanocomposite materials are often employed in industrial and environmental monitoring to accurately detect and quantify various substances, including heavy metals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Polymer nanocomposites are flexible and adaptable to many sensing applications due to their tunable characteristics. As a result, they are situated to play a significant part in the development of advanced sensors with improved performance and functionality
Advantages of Polymer Nanocomposites in Sensing Applications
The unique electrical and optical properties of nanofillers can be utilized to develop sensors with high sensitivity and selectivity. PNCs offer the advantage of being able to tailor their properties to specific sensing applications. The properties of PNCs can be tailored by selecting the appropriate polymer matrix and nanofiller composition, as well as adjusting their relative concentrations. This enables the development of sensors with customized properties, such as enhanced sensitivity, selectivity, and stability.
PNCs can be manufactured utilizing a variety of methods, including solution mixing, melt blending, and in situ polymerization. In terms of manipulating the size and dispersion of nanofillers within the polymer matrix, these approaches provide a high degree of versatility. In addition, advanced manufacturing processes, including electrospinning and 3D printing, can produce PNC-based sensors with complex structures and customized characteristics.
Limitations of Polymer Nanocomposites in Sensing Applications
Incorperating nanofillers in the polymer matrix of a sensor can significantly increase its cost, particularly for high-performance nanofillers such as graphene and carbon nanotubes. This cost can limit the widespread adoption of PNC-based sensors, particularly in low-cost applications.
The synthesis and dispersion of nanofillers within the polymer matrix can be challenging and time-consuming. Nanofillers tend to agglomerate, which can lead to poor dispersion and affect the sensing performance of the resulting PNCs. The synthesis and dispersion of nanofillers must be carefully controlled to ensure optimal sensing performance.
The stability of PNC-based sensors can be affected by the properties of the nanofillers and the polymer matrix. For instance, the surface chemistry of the nanofillers can affect their stability in different environments. In addition, the polymer matrix can be susceptible to degradation over time, affecting the overall stability of the sensing performance.
Future Perspective of Polymer Nanocomposites in Sensing Applications
With ongoing research and development, the future of polymer nanocomposites in sensing applications looks promising. Developing more selective and sensitive sensors utilizing novel materials is one of the main areas of focus. Polymer nanocomposites have special benefits, including adjustable characteristics, increased sensitivity, and affordable production methods.
Improvements in material science and nanotechnology are anticipated to improve polymer nanocomposite sensors' functionality and expand their scope of use. As a result, it is anticipated that in the years to come, new and inventive sensing technologies incorporating polymer nanocomposites will continue to develop.
References and Further Reading
Shukla, P., & Saxena, P. (2021). Polymer Nanocomposites in Sensor Applications: A Review on Present Trends and Future Scope. Chinese Journal of Polymer Science, 39(6), pp. 665–691.https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10118-021-2553-8
Tajik, S., Beitollahi, H., Nejad, F. G., Dourandish, Z., Khalilzadeh, M. A., Jang, H. W., Venditti, R. A., Varma, R. S., & Shokouhimehr, M. (2021). Recent Developments in Polymer Nanocomposite-Based Electrochemical Sensors for Detecting Environmental Pollutants. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 60(3), pp. 1112–1136. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.iecr.0c04952
Zamiri, G., & Haseeb, A. S. M. A. (2020). Recent Trends and Developments in Graphene/Conducting Polymer Nanocomposites Chemiresistive Sensors. Materials, 13(15), Article 15. https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/13/15/3311
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