NH₃ Sensor Based on rGO-PANI Composite with Improved Sensitivity

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Chemical Engineering
• Sensor Technology

Background:

• Poly(aniline) (PANI) is a conductive polymer with potential in gas sensing.
• Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) offers high surface area and conductivity.
• Developing composite materials can enhance sensor performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize a reduced graphene oxide-poly(aniline) (rGO-PANI) composite.
• To investigate the composite's performance as a sensitive layer for ammonia gas detection.
• To understand the role of rGO in enhancing the sensing properties of PANI.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of rGO-PANI composite using N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) as a solvent.
• Fabrication of a thin film sensor on an interdigitated electrode array.
• Testing the sensor's response to ammonia (NH3) gas at various concentrations.

Main Results:

• The rGO-PANI composite exhibited a sensitivity of 250% at 100 ppm ammonia.
• The sensor demonstrated a fast response time of 97 seconds.
• A low detection limit of 5 ppm for ammonia gas was achieved.
• rGO clusters improved PANI's sensitivity through enhanced surface area and carboxylic acid interactions.

Conclusions:

• The rGO-PANI composite is a promising material for sensitive and selective ammonia gas detection.
• The synergistic effect between rGO and PANI enhances gas sensing performance.
• This composite offers a viable solution for amine-based gas sensing applications.