PMMA Composite Thick Films as Gas Sensors

Gas sensors play vital role in detecting, monitoring and controlling the presence of hazardous and poisonous gases in the atmosphere at very low concentrations. The composite prepared by mixing carbon black with PMMA has very good gas sensing applications. The gas sensors based on Carbon nanotube / polymer, ceramic and metal oxide, epoxide, polyimide, PMMA / BaTiO3 and SnO2 have also been developed. In the present work, a thick film of composite was prepared by using PMMA and Ammonium dihydrogen phosphate (ADP). Then, the composite’s gas sensing behaviour for acetone vapour was tested by measuring the resistance change of the composite at room temperature. An increase in resistance has been observed with a response time of about ten seconds. The PMMA/Ammonium dihydrogen phosphate (PMADP) composites were characterized by using PXRD. The electrical conductivity of PMADP composites was also studied. The results show that the thick film of PMADP composite can function as a very good gas sensor for acetone vapours.