Project Overview

Due to the limitations of methane sensing in industry, R&D sectors aim to create sensors which can be applied to give quick responses. This project aims to address methane leak detection by using an organogel substrate embedded with nanoparticles to provide rapid electrical response. 

This project uses reduced graphene oxides and carbon nanotubes embedded in PDMS as a gas detector. The use of PDMS will act as a hydrophobic encasing for the nanomaterials, shielding them from changes in detection properties due to humidity. Additionally, PDMS has been shown to swell upon the absorption of methane gas at low temperatures, changing the volume of the polymer. The swelling behaviour may act as an additional aid for increasing electrical signals by changing the distance between nanoparticles. Lastly, using a combination of rGO and multiwall CNT nanoparticles, both known for their sensing capabilities, will address the current limitations regarding room temperature sensing, sensitivity and selectivity, and response time.