Fabrication and characterization of cellulose acetate-based nanofibers and nanofilms for H2S gas sensing application

Electrospun nanofibers and solution-casting nanofilms were produced from an environmentally friendly cellulose acetate (CA) blended with glycerol (as an ionic liquid (IL)), mixed with polypyrrole (PPy, a conducting polymer) and doped with tungsten oxide (WO3) nanoparticles. The sensing membranes fabricated were used to detect H2S gas at room temperature and shown to exhibit high performance. The results revealed that the lowest operating temperature of both nanofiber and nanofilm sensors was 20 degrees C, with a minimum gas detection limit of 1 ppm. Moreover, the sensor exhibits a reasonably fast response, with a minimum average response time of 22.8 and 31.7 s for the proposed nanofiber and nanofilm based sensors, respectively. Furthermore, the results obtained indicated an excellent reproducibility, long-term stability, and low humidity dependence. Such distinctive properties coupled with an easy fabrication technique provide a promising potential to achieve a precise monitoring of harmful H2S gas in both indoor and outdoor atmospheres.

Automated summary

In this study, environmentally friendly cellulose acetate blended with glycerol, polypyrrole, and tungsten oxide nanoparticles was used to fabricate sensing membranes for detecting H2S gas. The sensors showed high performance with a low operating temperature of 20 degrees C, a minimum gas detection limit of 1 ppm, fast response time, excellent reproducibility, long-term stability, and low humidity dependence. These sensors have promising potential for precise monitoring of harmful H2S gas in indoor and outdoor environments.