Poly(N-vinylcarbazole)–propylamine composite thin films with enhanced sensitivity to propylamine vapour

Abstract

The response (measured as a change in work function) of poly(N-vinylcarbazole)(PVCz) film towards propylamine (PrNH₂) vapour can be optimized by exposing the sensing layer to saturated PrNH₂ vapour. Quartz crystal microbalance, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and electrochemical measurements proved that PrNH₂ absorbed from the gaseous phase onto PVCz can be incorporated into its bulk structure by the electrochemical redeposition of PVCz. This procedure was used for the preparation of multilayered PVCz-PrNH₂ composite films showing higher sensitivity to PrNH₂ than the single PVCz layers investigated previously.