Network density tailored standalone-flexible fluorocarbon elastomer/nanocarbon black chemiresistors for 2-propanone field detection

FCE/Nanocarbon based highly selective chemiresistors for 2-propnoane field detection. Radiation dose tailors sensitivity, reversibility and integrity of the chemiresistors. [Display omitted] •A novel standalone nanocarbon/polymer composite based chemiresistor was developed.•Radiation dose markedly affected integrity, reproducibility and sensitivity.•Chemiresistor was highly selective for 2-propanone.•FCE/NCB chemiresistors showed marked dependence on NCB loading.•Optimal radiation dose is helpful in minimizing the signal build-up in successive cycles. 2-propanone is a commonly-used chemical and is a biomarker of diabetic ketoacidosis. Herein, the development of a novel stand-alone chemiresistive sensor with high sensitivity and selectivity for 2-propanone is reported. Fluorocarbon elastomer (FCE)/nanocarbon black (NCB) conducting composites based chemiresistors with different crosslinking densities were synthesized via melt compounding followed by radiation crosslinking. Conducting composites in different parts of the percolation profile were chosen to establish the dependence of 2-propanone sensing response on the conducting network and the radiation cross-linked network. The chemiresistor showed a highly selective response for 2-propanone whereas a considerably lower response was noted for benzene, toluene, xylene, ethanol, methanol and water. The sensing response had a strong correlation with the FCE-analyte interaction parameter (χ12).