Enhanced room temperature ammonia gas sensing based on a multichannel PSS-functionalized graphene/PANI network

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Chemical Sensors

Background:

• Disordered polymer polymerization leads to uncontrollable thickness and reduced sensing performance.
• Graphene-based nanocomposites offer potential for advanced sensor applications.
• Polyaniline (PANI) is a conductive polymer with promising sensing capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize poly(sodium p-styrenesulfonate)-functionalized reduced graphene oxide coated with polyaniline (PSS-rGO/PANI) nanocomposites.
• To investigate the ammonia (NH3) sensing performance of the flexible PSS-rGO/PANI-2 sensor.
• To explore the gas sensing mechanism of the developed nanocomposite material.

Main Methods:

• Facile interfacial polymerization route for synthesizing PSS-rGO/PANI nanocomposites.
• Characterization using FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, XRD, XPS, and SEM.
• Evaluation of NH3 sensing performance, including sensitivity, response/recovery time, detection limit, selectivity, repeatability, stability, and humidity resistance.

Main Results:

• The flexible PSS-rGO/PANI-2 sensor achieved high sensitivity (362%) and fast response/recovery times (23/158 s) for 100 ppm NH3 at room temperature.
• Demonstrated a low detection limit (10 ppb), superior selectivity, repeatability, and long-term stability (>75 days).
• Exhibited excellent humidity resistance at 80% relative humidity.

Conclusions:

• The PSS-rGO/PANI nanocomposite offers a promising material for flexible wearable gas sensors.
• The facile synthesis method provides a convenient route for constructing advanced graphene nanocomposites.
• The high performance and stability promote applications in environmental monitoring and wearable electronics.