Conductive silicone/acetylene black composite film as a chemical vapor sensor

The changes of electrical resistance of the polymer composites on exposure to chemical vapors have been applied for the production of vapor sensors. In this study, to confirm the ability of silicone rubber as chemical vapors sensors, silcone/acetylene black (AB) composite film was prepared by compounding and compression molding. The responses of this elastomer composite film for various organic vapors (polar aprotic, polar protic, and non-polar solvents) were calculated by monitoring the change in the resistance of the composite film when exposed to the organic vapors. The changes of electrical resistance of the composite films are explained on the basis of volume expansion as swelling and polar interaction of various vapors on the composite. The experimental results showed that the behaviors to organic solvent vapors were considerably influenced by the temperature of the solvents and the silicone/AB composite sensor was appropriate for the detection of polar aprotic and non-polar solvents at moderate temperature. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.