Chemiresistor sensor using elastomer‐functionalized carbon nanotube nanocomposites for the detection of gasoline spills

Two types of multi‐walled carbon nanotube (MWNT)‐based elastomer nanocomposites are used as a sensor material for the detection of gasoline spills by applying the interdigitated electrode (IDE) device. MWNT‐g‐polyisoprene (PI) and Si‐MWNT/natural rubber (NR) are prepared by applying “grafting‐from” and “grafting‐to” process, respectively. When compared based on the identical condition of gasoline sensing test, the maximum response value to the exposure of gasoline is 17.5 for MWNT‐g‐PI sensor and 12.9 for Si‐MWNT/NR sensor, which reach the maximum in less than 3 min. The MWNT‐g‐PI sensor selectively detects gasoline, and its response is completely reversible. It shows that the longer chain length of PI brings about the larger response of MWNT‐g‐PI sensor to gasoline. The sensitivity of MWNT‐g‐PI sensor highly depends on both how much gasoline is exposed to the sensor and what bias voltage is applied to the IDE device. The IDE sensor using MWNT‐g‐PI nanocomposites effectively detects gasoline spills.