3D, covalent and noncovalent hybrid materials based on 3-phenylcoumarin derivatives and single walled carbon nanotubes as gas sensing layers

In this work, the effect of different types of functionalization of single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) with 3-phenylcoumarin derivatives on the chemiresistive sensor response to ammonia (10–50 ppm) was studied. Covalent functionalization of SWCNT was performed according to the Huisgen reaction of azide-alkyne 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between mono alkyne-substituted 3-phenylcoumarin and single walled nanotubes modified by azide groups. Covalent functionalization was shown by IR- and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. To obtain the 3D hybrid material, the dialkyne functionalized 3-phenylcoumarin molecules were used as linkers between nanotubes. Third hybrid material was prepared by noncovalent functionalization of SWCNT, namely by adsorption of 7-propinyloxy-3-(p-propinyloxyphenyl)coumarin on SWCNT surface. It was shown that the 3D hybrid and the hybrid obtained by covalent functionalization exhibit 2 and 4 times higher sensor responses to ammonia compared to noncovalently functionalized SWCNT. The value of sensor response is in good correlation with the degree of functionalization of SWCNTs with coumarin molecules.