Controlling the sensing performance of rGO filled PVDF nanocomposite with the addition of secondary nanofillers

Abstract

This study reports the synthesis and characterization of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanocomposites containing binary filler combination of reduced graphene oxide and titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanotubes. The PVDF nanocomposite films prepared by simple solution mixing process showed enhanced thermal and dielectric properties. Sensing performance for the nanocomposites was analyzed in presence of a few industrially significant solvent vapors such as benzene, ethanol, chloroform, acetone, SO2 and liquefied petroleum gas. The variation in sensing properties illustrates the possibility of using this material in detecting a range of solvent vapors. Maximum sensing ability was noticed for the nanocomposite containing 2.5 wt.% of graphene-titania hybrid filler by the formation of p-n heterojunctions. The sensing performance is explained on the basis of synergistic effect of nanoarchitectures-nanosheets and nanotubes.