Polyurethane/PEG-modified MWCNT composite film for the chemical vapor sensor application

The changes of electrical resistance of the polymer composites on exposure to chemical vapors have been applied for the production of vapor sensors. In this study, to confirm the ability of elastomer as chemical vapors sensors, polyurethane/PEG-modified MWCNT composite film was prepared by in situ condensation polymerization and solution casting. The responses of this elastomer composite film for various organic vapors (polar and non-polar solvents) were calculated by monitoring the change in the resistance of the composite film when exposed to the organic vapors. The changes of electrical resistance of the composite films were explained on the basis of volume expansion as swelling and polar interaction of various vapors on the composite. Therefore, we were able to interpret the behavior of the polyurethane/PEG-modified MWCNT composite film as a chemical vapor sensor through diffusion, sorption, and permeation coefficients of the polymer film–analyte systems.