본 실험에서는 활성탄소섬유의 미세기공구조가 신경작용제 유사가스인 dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) 감응 특성에 미치는 영향을 고찰하였다. 탄소섬유에 화학적 활성화법을 이용하여 기공구조를 부여하였고, 이를 이용하여 가스센서용 전극을 제조하였다. N형 반도체인 polyacrylonitrile (PAN)계 활성탄소섬유 기반 전극은 환원성 가스인 DMMP로부터 전자를 받아 정공의 밀도 감소로 인하여 전기저항이 감소하게 되었다. DMMP 가스센서의 민감도는 미세기공 부피가 증가함에 따라 1.7%에서 5.1%까지 증가하였다. 이는 분자 크기가 0.57 nm인 DMMP를 흡착하기에 적합한 미세기공이 형성됨에 따라, DMMP와 활성탄소섬유간의 전자 이동이 용이해졌기 때문이라 사료된다. 결론적으로, 높은 감도의 DMMP 가스센서를 제조하기 위해서는 적절한 기공구조 조절이 중요한 역할을 한다고 판단된다.

In this study, the influence of microporous structures of activated carbon fibers (ACFs) on dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) gas sensing properties as a nerve agent simulant was investigated. The pore structure was given to carbon fibers by chemical activation process, and an electrode was fabricated for gas sensors by using these fibers. The PAN based ACF electrode, which is an N-type semiconductor, received electrons from a reducing gas such as DMMP, and then electrical resistance of its electrode finally decreased because of the reduced density of electron holes. The sensitivity of the fabricated DMMP gas sensor increased from 1.7% to 5.1% as the micropore volume increased. It is attributed that as micropores were formed for adsorbing DMMP whose molecular size was 0.57 nm, electron transfer between DMMP and ACF was facilitated. In conclusion, it is considered that the appropriate pore structure control of ACFs plays an important role in fabricating the DMMP gas sensor with a high sensitivity.