Inkjet-printed plasma-functionalized polymer-based capacitive sensor for PAHs

• Published in: Materials today communications Vol. 35; p. 105659
• Main Authors: Pillai, Renjith Rajan, Adhikari, Kiran Raj, Gardner, Steven, Sunilkumar, Surya, Sanas, Shruti, Mohammad, Haider, Thomas, Vinoy
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2023
• Subjects: Capacitive electrode; Inkjet printing; Plasma surface modification; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs); Polyethylene terephthalate (PET); Toxic pollutants; Polyethylene terephthalate (PET); Toxic pollutants; Inkjet printing; Capacitive electrode; Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs); Plasma surface modification
• ISSN: 2352-4928; 2352-4928
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mtcomm.2023.105659

The inkjet-printing technology is utilized to foster conducting layers, interconnections, and other features on different substrates of which its success greatly depends on the surface properties of the substrates. In the present work, we reported the use of low-temperature plasma (LTP) to assist in tailoring the surface properties of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). This facilitated the inkjet printing of a capacitive electrode sensor design using silver nano-ink (AgNI) for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). PAHs are ubiquitous environmental pollutants that are of great health concern. We have sifted methyl methacrylate (MMA), N-vinylpyrrolidone (VP), and oxygen (O2) as plasma fed-gases for improving the adhesion of printed AgNI on PET. We observed improved surface hydrophilicity of the plasma-treated PET (p-PET). This was evidenced by the decrease in water contact angle (WCA). The change in surface chemistry with plasma treatment was assessed using X-ray Photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) was employed in determining the nanoscale surface roughness of PET. We then fabricated the capacitive sensor using AgNI to quantitatively sense the PAH from aqueous media. This sensor was subsequently characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Keyence 3D imaging. The capacitance values have shown a linear response with increased PAH concentration. The sensor design exhibits a high sensitivity for PAH concentrations up to 0.05 ng/mL. Ultimately, these results have demonstrated the potential of this polymer device for pollutant sensing applications. [Display omitted] •The low-temperature plasma (LTP) treatment was used to modify the PET substrate for printing the capacitive sensor design.•Surface roughness and hydrophilicity of PET was improved using O2 plasma treatment to achieve improved surface adhesion of AgNI.•The sensor has demonstrated high sensitivity for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) up to 0.05 ng/mL from aqueous media.