Click on “Download PDF” for the PDF version or on the title for the HTML version.

If you are not an ASABE member or if your employer has not arranged for access to the full-text, Click here for options.

Ethanol is a compound of interest associated with food safety and meat contamination. Polyvinylphenol (PVPh) based on linear solvation energy relationship (LSER) has been selected as an ethanol sensitive polymer. The incorporation of carbon black (CB) in the polymer matrix reduces the resistance of the composite to make it a potent resistive ethanol sensor. The percolation threshold of the CB in the PVPh matrix is determined for optimum dispersion of conducting filler to maximize the sensor response. Optical microscopy was done to visually inspect the dispersion of the filler at varied concentration of CB in the polymer matrix. The solution-processed composite was dip coated on interdigitated electrodes by computer controlled dip-coater and the number of layers was deposited based on the overall resistance of the coated film in the kilo-ohms (KO) range. Surface morphological characterizations of the sensor were conducted using AFM, SEM and profilometry. The ethanol gas sensing characterization was done for three different concentrations (1000ppm, 2500ppm and 5000ppm) with repeatability study for each concentration. The minimum detection limit of the developed sensor was found to be 233 ppm.