Hollow Au/Polypyrrole Capsules to Form Porous and Neural Network-Like Nanofibrous Film for Wearable, Super-Rapid, and...

Wearable conducting polymer-based NH₃ sensors are highly desirable in real-time environmental monitoring and human health protection but still a challenge for their relatively long response/recovery time and moderate sensitivity at room temperature. Herein, we present an effective route to fulfill this challenge by constructing porous and neural network-like Au/polypyrrole (Au/PPy) electrospun nanofibrous film with hollow capsular units for NH₃ sensor. Taking the unique architecture and synergistic effect between Au and PPy, our sensor exhibits not only super-rapid response/recovery time (both ∼7 s), faster than all reported sensors, but also stable and ultrahigh sensitivity (response reaches ∼2.3 for 1 ppm NH₃) at room temperature even during repeated deformation. Furthermore, good selectivity has been also achieved. These outstanding properties make our sensor hold great potential in real-time NH₃-related disease diagnosis and environmental monitoring at room temperature.