Presentazione per invito a ICPP 10, Monaco, Germania

Currently, electrospinning technology is considered as one of the most inexpensive and versatile strategy to design and develop nanostructured sensors to detect gases and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the air [1]. The present work focuses on the development of nanocomposite fibers based on recyclable and biodegradable plastics [2] capable of providing qualitative and quantitative information about air pollutants without representing a significant additional source of pollution to the environment once worn out. Firstly, fibers comprising two polymers with low compatibility (polystyrene-PS and polyhydroxibutyrate-PHB) and mesoporous graphene nanopowder (MGC) as a conductive nanofiller, were prepared and investigated as potential conductive chemical sensors. Afterwards, a known amount of H2-tetraphenylporphyrin [3] was added to the heterogeneous polymer suspension in order to investigate the role of the selected porphyrin both in the framework building of the various components within the resulting nanostructures and in the electrical as well as the sensing features. As transducers were used interdigitated electrode fingers (IDEs, 10?m, 120 pairs, Micrux) that were subjected to electrospinning deposition of both the two suspensions (without and with porphyrin) in order to compare their features (morphology, conductivity, response time, sensitivity, etc.). Preliminary results showed that PHB seemed to facilitate the adhesiveness of PS fibers on Pt electrodes as well as the patchy outline of the fibers (SEM and TEM micrographs) meanwhile porphyrin affected color (pink fibers despite white without porphyrin), morphology (more homogeneous fibers), electrical parameters (an increase in current) as well as the sensing properties of the fibrous mats (improvement in selectivity). Measurements were carried out under standardized pure air and at several working temperature values (ranging between 20-80°C). As pollutants to be detected were used low concentrations of NO2 and NH3 and VOCs like amines, ketones, aromatic compounds.