Self-assembled micro-structured sensors for food safety in paper based food packaging

Natural self-assembled microstructured particles (diatomaceous earth) were used to develop a gas sensor paper with detection mechanism based on visible and distinct color changes of the sensor paper when exposed to volatile basic nitrogen compounds. The coating formulation for paper was prepared by...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Materials Science & Engineering C 2015-08, Vol.53, p.331-335
Main Authors: Hakovirta, M., Aksoy, B., Hakovirta, J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Ammonia
Ammonium Hydroxide - analysis
Carbon nanotubes
Chemical sensor
Coatings
Diatomaceous Earth - chemistry
Diatomite
Diatoms
Food Contamination - analysis
Food Microbiology - methods
Food Packaging - instrumentation
Food Packaging - methods
Food safety
Limit of Detection
Materials science
Packaging
Polyvinyl alcohols
Sensors
Surface Properties
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Summary:Natural self-assembled microstructured particles (diatomaceous earth) were used to develop a gas sensor paper with detection mechanism based on visible and distinct color changes of the sensor paper when exposed to volatile basic nitrogen compounds. The coating formulation for paper was prepared by applying diatomites, polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), and pH sensitive dyes on acidic paper substrate. The surface coating was designed to allow a maximum gas flow through the diatomite sensors. The produced sensor paper was tested for sensitivity using different ammonia concentrations and we observed a sensitivity lower limit at 63ppm. As a comparison, the results show comparable sensitivity levels to carbon nanotube based sensor technologies reported in literature. •Novel sensor paper was developed using micro-structured diatomaceous earth and pH sensitive dye.•The functionality is based on pH sensitive dye to indicate spoilage of meat or fish by color change.•Diatomaceous earth was successfully immobilized to the polyvinyl alcohol coating.•The coating was engineered to maximize the exposure of the diatom morphology.•The sensor paper achieved very high sensitivities for ammonia gas detection.
ISSN:0928-4931
1873-0191
DOI:10.1016/j.msec.2015.04.020