Synthesis and characterization of functionalized MWCNTs/PMMA composites: device fabrication for RH sensing

ABSTRACT

Functionalization of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with amine group using 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl sulfone (DDS) is achieved after carboxylation of pure MWCNTs (p-MWCNTs). p-MWCNTs, a-MWCNTs (acid functional MWCNTs) and f-MWCNTs (amine functional MWCNTs) were used to fabricate their nanocomposite with PMMA. A comparative study of the humidity characteristics of p-MWCNTs/PMMA, a-MWCNTs/PMMA and f-MWCNTs/PMMA-based capacitive humidity sensors was carried. f-MWCNTs/PMMA-based capacitive humidity sensor shows low hysteresis loss (5%), good response recovery behavior and highest sensitivity (S ~ 9736%) among all the studied composites. The maximum capacitance drift under different relative humidity was 1%RH.

KEYWORDS:

• Composites
• functionalization
• MWCNTs
• device fabrication
• humidity sensing

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Raina Aman Qazi

Raina Aman Qazi PhD scholar in National Centre of excellence in physical Chemistry University of Peshawar, Pakistan. Research Interest: Polymer Nanocomposites, Humidity & Gas Sensors. Polymeric Blends.

Mohammad Saleem Khan

Mohammad Saleem Khan Retired Professor National Centre of Excellence in Physical Chemistry, University of Peshawar, Pakistan. Research Interest: Polymer Nanocomposites, Polymeric Blends. Polymer Microgels, Hydrogels, pH and Temperature Sensors, Polymeric Materials.

Muhammad Siddiq

Muhammad Siddiq Professor, Department of Chemistry, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan. Research Interest: Laser Light-Scattering Characterization of Liner/Block polymers and polymer Gel.

Muhammad Siddiq Professor, Department of Chemistry, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan. Research Interest: Laser Light-Scattering Characterization of Liner/Block polymers and polymer Gel.

Rizwan Ullah

Rizwan Ullah PhD in physical chemistry. Working as assistant professor in National Centre of Excellence in Physical Chemistry University of Peshawar. Research Interest: Conducting Polymers, Copolymers, Polymer Blends, Composite Materials, and Synthesis of Inorganic-organic Hybrid Materials Nanostructures.

Luqman Ali Shah

Luqman Ali Shah PhD in Physical/Polymer Chemistry. Working as assistant professor in National Centre of Excellence in Physical Chemistry University of Peshawar. Research Interest: Working on Synthesis of Smart Polymer Microgels, Hydrogels.

Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali Lecturer in Department of physics, University of Peshawar, Pakistan. Research Interest: Electronic Devices and Circuit theory, Semiconductor Devices Processing, Semiconductors. Devices Processing, Organic.