Nanoporous non-woven carbon fibers for a gas sensor were prepared from a pitch/polyacrylonitrile (PAN) mixed solution through an electrospinning process and their gas-sensing properties were investigated. In order to create nanoscale pores, magnesium oxide (MgO) powders were added as a pore-forming agent during the mixing of these carbon precursors. The prepared nanoporous carbon fibers derived from the MgO pore-forming agent were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), N2-adsorption isotherms, and a gas-sensing analysis. The SEM images showed that the MgO powders affected the viscosity of the pitch/PAN solution, which led to the production of beaded fibers. The specific surface area of carbon fibers increased from 2.0 to 763.2m2/g when using this method. The template method therefore improved the porous structure, which allows for more efficient gas adsorption. The sensing ability and the response time for the NO gas adsorption were improved by the increased surface area and micropore fraction. In conclusion, the carbon fibers with high micropore fractions created through the use of MgO as a pore-forming agent exhibited improved NO gas sensitivity.

• Yesol Kim(Department of Fine Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, BK21-E2M, Chungnam National University)
• Seho Cho(Department of Fine Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, BK21-E2M, Chungnam National University)
• Sungho Lee(Institute of Advanced Composites Materials, Korea Institute of Science and Technology)
• Young-Seak Lee(Department of Fine Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, BK21-E2M, Chungnam National University) Corresponding Author