Development of a printed sensor for volatile organic compound detection at μg/L-level

The detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at low μg/L levels in aqueous solution is accomplished using a resistive sensor. In particular, a flexible sensor manufactured by printing techniques is presented: its electrodes are defined with silver nanoparticles ink by inkjet printing, while its sensitive layer based on graphite and polystyrene is deposited by screen printing. The influence of different manufacturing parameters is analyzed: mesh density of the screen, ink composition and electrode configuration. The lower the mesh density of the screen is, the higher the resolution obtained and the lower the resistance value achieved. Inks with higher graphite content results in lower resistance values and better time responses. Higher resistance values are obtained with the serpentine electrode. In addition, the response of the sensor to different VOCs in aqueous solution is shown, finding the highest sensitivity to benzene, followed by o-xylene, p-xylene, m-xylene and toluene, in this order. All these results foresee that it is a promising device.     «

The detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at low μg/L levels in aqueous solution is accomplished using a resistive sensor. In particular, a flexible sensor manufactured by printing techniques is presented: its electrodes are defined with silver nanoparticles ink by inkjet printing, while its sensitive layer based on graphite and polystyrene is deposited by screen printing. The influence of different manufacturing parameters is analyzed: mesh density of the screen, ink composition and el...     »