title: Fabrication of ultrafine metal-oxide-decorated carbon nanofibers for DMMP sensor application.
abstract: Ultrafine metal-oxide-decorated hybrid carbon nanofibers (CNFs) were fabricated by a single-nozzle co-electrospinning process using a phase-separated mixed polymer composite solution and heat treatment. To decorate metal oxides on the CNF surface, core (PAN) and shell (PVP) structured nanofibers (NFs) were fabricated as starting materials. The core-shell NF structure was prepared by single-nozzle co-electrospinning because of the incompatibility of the two polymers. Ultrafine hybrid CNFs were then formed by decomposing the PVP phase, converting the metal precursors to metal oxide nanonodules, and transforming the PAN to CNFs of ca. 40 nm diameter during heat treatment. The decoration morphology of the metal oxide nanonodules could be controlled by precursor concentration in the PVP solution. These ultrafine hybrid CNFs were applied to a dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) chemical sensor at room temperature with excellent sensitivity. The minimum detectable level (MDL) of hybrid CNFs was as low as 0.1 ppb, which is 10-100 times higher than for a chemical sensor based on carbon nanotubes. This is because the metal oxide nanonodules of hybrid CNFs increase the surface area and affinity to DMMP vapor. Our new synthetic methodology promises to be an effective approach to fabricating hybrid CNF/inorganic nanostructures for future sensing technologies.
authors: World Class University (WCU) Program of Chemical Convergence for Energy & Environment (C2E2), School of Chemical and Biological Engineering, College of Engineering, Seoul National University, 599 Gwanangno, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 151-742, Korea.
authors: Jun Seop
authors: JS
authors: Lee
authors: Oh Seok
authors: OS
authors: Kwon
authors: Seon Joo
authors: SJ
authors: Park
authors: Eun Yu
authors: EY
authors: Park
authors: Sun Ah
authors: SA
authors: You
authors: Hyeonseok
authors: H
authors: Yoon
authors: Jyongsik
authors: J
authors: Jang
mesh_terms: D002244:Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D002623:Chemistry Techniques, Analytical / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005740:Gases / Q000032:analysis; D008670:Metals / Q000737:chemistry*; D057139:Nanofibers / Q000737:chemistry*; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds / Q000032:analysis*; D010087:Oxides / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D005740:Gases; D008670:Metals; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; D010087:Oxides; C031116:dimethyl methylphosphonate; D002244:Carbon