In situ immobilization of tin dioxide nanoparticles by nanoporous polymers scaffold toward monolithic humidity sensing devices

摘要

Reported here is in situ immobilization of tin dioxide (SnO_2) nanoparticles (NPs) within nanoporous polymer scaffolds for the development of monolithic humidity sensing devices. Through solvothermal polymerization of divinylbenzene (DVB) monomers in the interspaces of SnO_2 fine powders, SnO_2 NPs could be homogeneously immobilized in polymer matrices, forming a novel composite material. Immobilization of SnO_2 NPs in nanoporous polymer matrices not only simplifies the fabrication process of NPsbased sensing devices, but also improves their adsorptive properties. The resultant nanoporous polymer/ SnO_2 NPs composites with adjustable SnO_2 contents possess high BET surface areas, large pore sizes and pore volumes, thus they exhibit high adsorptive capacities for H_2O vapor. As a general approach to NPs/ nanoporous polymer composites, this work may open up a new way to nanomaterial-based sensing devices that features enhanced adsorptive property.