Study on Sensing Properties of Electro-spun PEO/MWNT Non-woven Fabric

This paper presents a study on the sensing properties of a conductive polymer composite (CPC) that is processed by an electrospinning technique. The CPC is obtained by mixing multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT) with a poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO) matrix. Sensors made of this composite are characterised by measuring their electrical properties as a function of external stimuli. In particular, their responses to vapours of toluene, methanol and dioxan are investigated. As studied, the PEO/MWNT material shows high and stable sensitivity over three testing cycles for the selected vapours. An increase in electrical resistance is observed under the influence of chemical substances. This paper supports the concept that penetration of molecules of selected chemical substances leads to the partial disorder of contact between neighboured nanotubes located in the polymer matrix. The electro-spun non-woven fabric with a low amount of MWNT (3 wt.%) in the PEO matrix seems to be a good textile product for application as sensing membranes in personal protective clothing.