Integrating 3D printing and self-assembly for layered polymer/nanoparticle microstructures as high-performance sensors

The development of highly sensitive, selective, and low-cost chemical sensors that can detect trace amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is essential for environmental sustainability and human health monitoring. Here, a layer-by-layer technique for selective deposition and aligned placement of nanoparticles dependent upon 3D printing-enabled surface patterns is demonstrated. A reasonable deposition density and the preferential alignment of nanoparticles, here carbon nanofibers (CNFs), produced a high-performance chemosensor that can detect low concentrations of VOCs in gas and liquid forms. The highly enhanced sensitivity and selectivity were attributed to efficient electron transport and inter- and intra-nanofiber hopping. This research sheds light on a method to develop rapidly prototyped chemosensors, which are desired for applications in nanocomposite reinforcement, design of supercapacitor and battery devices, thermal dissipation management, surface tension control, and drug delivery systems. This journal is