Abstract
Polystyrene/carbon nanotubes composites for gas sensor were prepared by microemulsion polymerization and characterized. Because of the in situ microemulsion polymerization, uniform dispersion of carbon nanotubes in the polymer matrix could be obtained more easily and the thermal and electrical properties of the composites were also enhanced, compared with the composites from solution mixing of polystyrene and carbon nanotubes. The response to different organic vapours was evaluated by monitoring the change in the resistance of the composite upon exposure to various gases. It was observed that the composites prepared by microemulsion polymerization showed much better response and reversibility. The change in resistance was of the order of about 103 for the composites prepared by microemulsion polymerization.