Fabrication of carbon nanomaterials using laser scribing on copper nanoparticles-embedded polyacrylonitrile films and their application in a gas sensor

Abstract

Carbon nanomaterials have attracted significant research attention as core materials in various industrial sectors owing to their excellent physicochemical properties. However, because the preparation of carbon materials is generally accompanied by high-temperature heat treatment, it has disadvantages in terms of cost and process. In this study, highly sensitive carbon nanomaterials were synthesized using a local laser scribing method from a copper-embedded polyacrylonitrile (CuPAN) composite film with a short processing time and low cost. The spin-coated CuPAN was converted into a carbonization precursor through stabilization and then patterned into a carbon nanomaterial of the desired shape using a pulsed laser. In particular, the stabilization process was essential in laser-induced carbonization, and the addition of copper promoted this effect as a catalyst. The synthesized material had a porous 3D structure that was easy to detect gas, and the resistance responses were detected as −2.41 and +0.97% by exposure to NO2 and NH3, respectively. In addition, the fabricated gas sensor consists of carbon materials and quartz with excellent thermal stability; therefore, it is expected to operate as a gas sensor even in extreme environments.