Enhanced sensing performance of bimetallic Al/Ag-CNF network and porous PDMS-based triboelectric acetylene gas sensors in a high humidity atmosphere

We report a self-powered active gas sensor that can detect acetylene (C2H2) reliably and accurately by measuring the output voltages generated during contact electrification between bimetallic Al/Ag-carbon nanofiber (CNF) network and porous PDMS friction surfaces. Upon exposure to certain concentrations of C2H2, the triboelectric charging behavior of the sensor is altered due to a surface reaction between C2H2 molecules and the Al/Ag-CNF friction layer. The sensor exhibits excellent sensitivity of 83% and a quick response time of 88 s to C2H2 gas at a concentration of 1000 ppm. Importantly, the friction surfaces exhibit high hydrophobicity, which preferentially minimizes the influence of humidity and provides superior sensing performance even in a high humidity atmosphere (∼87% relative humidity). We believe that the…