Bio-based chitosan-based film as a bifunctional fire-warning and humidity sensor

Int J Biol Macromol. 2023 Dec 31;253(Pt 3):126466. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.126466. Epub 2023 Sep 1.

Abstract

Early fire detection is an efficient method to mitigate disastrous fire loss. However, developing smart low-temperature fire-warning sensors that better diminish fire hazards, especially those caused by household appliances, is still challenging. Herein, a salts-modified chitosan (salts-modified CS) based sensor with integrated fire-warning and humidity-monitoring capability is proposed using an easy assembling method. This sensor can respond to temperatures as low as 50 °C and a flame within 2 s quickly and detect relative humidity (RH) range above 50 % at 50 °C and 75 °C sensitively. This system can be reusable for multiple ignitions and works in high-humidity environments (>50 %). Furthermore, the comparison between different salts-modified CS films is carried out to elucidate the mechanism of the formation of electric current under the joint driven by temperature and humidity. Moreover, real-time temperature and RH monitoring can be achieved with a wireless transmission section. This design shows a promising approach for multifunctional CS-based sensors and paves a path to developing a new generation of smart fire-warning detectors.

Keywords: Chitosan films; Fire-warning sensor; Humidity sensor.

MeSH terms

  • Chitosan*
  • Cold Temperature
  • Humidity
  • Salts
  • Temperature

Substances

  • Chitosan
  • Salts