Synthesis, characterization, and ammonia sensing performance of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) grafted multiwall carbon nanotubes

ABSTRACT

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) grafted multiwall carbon nanotubes (g-MWCNTs) were synthesized while using purified MWCNTs (p-MWCNTs). Functionalization of MWCNTs was confirmed by FTIR, TGA, and XRD measurement. Comparative study of ammonia sensing performance of p-MWCNTs, carboxylated MWCNTs (a-MWCNTs), amine-functionalized MWCNTs (f-MWCNTs) and g-MWCNTs were performed. Among all g-MWCNTs showed a large variation in resistance over an entire concentration range of ammonia vapors. The calculated limit of detection for g-MWCNTs was found to be 0.236 ppm. Sensor response of g-MWCNTs reaches full saturation at 150 ppm ammonia. The f-MWCNTs and g-MWCNTs showed a highly reversible response to ammonia vapors at 250 ppm at 25°C.

KEYWORDS:

• Carbon nanotubes
• functionalization
• ammonia sensors
• PHB grafted MWCNTs

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Raina Aman Qazi

Raina Aman Qazi PhD scholar in National Centre of Excellence in Physical Chemistry and working on CNTs based polymer nanocomposites. University of Peshawar, Pakistan.

Working as a Lecturer at Shaheed Benazir Women's University, Peshawar. Expertise: Polymer nanocomposites, humidity & gas sensors. Polymeric blends, Multifunctional Composites.

Luqman Ali Shah Ph.D. in Physical/Polymer Chemistry from Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad Pakistan. Working as assistant professor at the National Centre of Excellence in Physical Chemistry University of Peshawar. Expertise: Working on synthesis of smart polymer microgels, hydrogels.

Rizwan Ullah Ph.D from the Institute of Chemical Sciences, University of Peshawar, in 2014. Expertise: conducting polymers and polymer composites. Currently working as Assistant Professor at the National Centre of Excellence at the Physical Chemistry University of Peshawar, Pakistan.

Rozina Khattak PhD in Physical Chemistry. Working as assistant professor at Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Women's University in Peshawar, Pakistan, in the Department of Chemistry. Expertise: Synthesis, Kinetics, Reaction Mechanism.

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

Mohammad Saleem Khan Retired Professor, National Centre of Excellence in Physical Chemistry, University of Peshawar, Pakistan. Expertise: Polymer nanocomposites and polymeric blends. Polymer microgels, hydrogels, pH, and temperature sensors, Polymeric Materials, Multifunctional Composites.