Quartz crystal microbalance modified with polyacrylonitrile/polyvinylidene fluoride nanofiber sensor: preparation, characterization, sensor parameters, and adsorption behavior

Abstract Electrospun nanofibers based on polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) have attracted considerable attention owing to their mechanical robustness, thermal stability, and excellent chemical resistance, which make them suitable for use in sensor technologies. In this study, PAN/PVDF nanofibers were produced via electrospinning and characterized by SEM, FT-IR, TGA, and tensile analyses. The SEM images revealed uniform, bead-free, and highly porous nanofibers with an average diameter of 215 ± 29 nm and a porosity of 62.26%. FT-IR spectra confirmed the coexistence and intermolecular interaction of PAN and PVDF phases, while TGA results indicated enhanced thermal stability due to PVDF incorporation. The prepared nanofiber membrane exhibited a Young’s modulus of 16.32 MPa and a maximum strain of 42.45%, suggesting high flexibility and strength. The fabricated PAN/PVDF nanofiber film was then integrated into a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) platform to investigate its vapor sensing behavior against dichloromethane, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, and trichloroethylene vapors. The ranges of some sensor parameter values, such as sensitivity (0.205–0.249 Hz ppm −1 ), LOD (160.57–132.53 ppm), and LOQ (487.80–401.60 ppm), are presented for the PAN/PVDF nanofiber-based QCM sensor exposed to these organic vapors. Adsorption dynamics were analyzed using pseudo-first-order and Elovich kinetic models, enabling the evaluation of adsorption parameters and rate constants. The findings demonstrate that PAN/PVDF nanofiber-based QCM sensors offer a promising platform for detecting volatile organic compounds (VOCs), owing to their high surface area, fast response, and stable kinetic performance.