Studies on the use of carbon materials and polymers for indicating the degree of depletion of a layer of active carbon

Project manager: Agnieszka Brochocka Ph.D. (Eng.)

Project summary:

The aim of the task was to develop an indicator of the breakthrough moment or depletion of the sorption layer inside an absorber. This aim was achieved by creating carbon and polymer materials as elements that detect vapours of organic substances in polluted air. Preliminary studies were done on the influence of covering the surface of carbon sorbents with catalyzers: tests of static and dynamic sorption and an analysis of the effect of covering the surface of carbon sorbents with catalyzers.The next part of the task consisted in studying a way to synthesize polymers with defined indicative characteristics, testing the way of applying polymers to a sorption layer and testing the reaction of that layer to organic vapours. In this way, a synthesis of 5 polymers used in electroconductive composites was developed.A few series of five variants of electroconductive composites were developed on the basis of the syntheses that had been carried out. Their electric conductivity was tested. The effectiveness of polymer composites was established; it was the criterion in selecting the best variant for further studies.A mechanical model of a polymer sensor was developed on the basis of the developed electroconductive composites and a polymer nonwoven. A model of an electronic polymer sensor was also developed for indicating depletion of the layer of sorption carbon in the absorber of organic vapours.

Unit: Department of Personal Protective Equipment

Duration: 31.12.2008 – 30.12.2010