New carbon-black composite vapor detectors based on multifunctional polymers

The aim of this work is the development of vapor detectors formed from composites of conductive carbon black and insulating organic multifunctional polymers having metal ions complexing ability. The new materials are tailored to produce increased sensitivity toward specific classes of analyte vapors. For comparison purpose, poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) with di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DOP), a traditional low molecular weight plasticizer, is used as representative of the behavior of a traditional composite vapor detector.