Swelling behavior in solvent vapor sensing based on Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM) Coated Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofiber

Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofiber deposited on quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) substrate as solvent vapor sensing has been successfully developed. The absorption and swelling behavior has been assumed to be responsible for sensing mechanism in vapor sensing. In this study, we aim to investigate the correlation between the swelling degree (polymer-solvent affinity) and the sensor response. The PAN nanofiber has been successfully deposited on QCM substrate with relatively homogenous nanofiber diameter about (260 ± 20) nm. The tests vapor solvent was included dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethylacetamide (DMAc), ethylene glycol (EG), toluene, ethanol, and distilled water. The results indicated that the sensor response for various vapor solvent clearly influences by its polymer-solvent affinity. The highest sensor response was achieved with DMF vapor due to its highest affinity with PAN polymer. The swelling behavior of polymer can be a potential candidate for developing vapor sensors with a polymer as an active layer.