Washable colorimetric nanofiber nonwoven for ammonia gas detection

The colorimetric sensor is a facile, cost-effective, and non-power-operated green energy material for gas detection. In this study, the colorimetric sensing property of a meta-aramid/dye 3 nanofiber sensor for ammonia (NH₃) gas detection was investigated. This colorimetric sensor was prepared using various dye 3 concentrations via electrospinning. Morphological, thermal, structural, and mechanical analyses of the sensor were carried out by field-emission scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and a universal testing machine, respectively. A homemade computer color matching machine connected with a gas flow device characterized the response of the meta-aramid/dye 3 nanofiber colorimetric sensor to various exposure levels of NH₃ gas. From the results, we confirmed that this colorimetric green energy sensor could detect ammonia gas in the concentration of 1-10 ppm with a sensing response time of 10 s at room temperature. After washing with laundry detergent for 30 min, the colorimetric sensors still exhibited sensing property and reversibility.