SnO2nanoparticles-modified polyaniline films as highly selective, sensitive, reproducible and stable ammonia sensors

• Published in: Electronic materials letters 2014, 10(1), , pp.191-197
• Main Authors: Khuspe, G. D., Navale, S. T., Bandgar, D. K., Sakhare, R. D., Chougule, M. A., Patil, V. B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Condensed Matter Physics; Materials Science; Nanotechnology; Nanotechnology and Microengineering; Optical and Electronic Materials; 전자/정보통신공학
• ISSN: 1738-8090; 2093-6788
• DOI: 10.1007/s13391-013-3096-0

Nanocomposites of polyaniline (PANi) and tin oxide (SnO 2 ) were prepared by adding SnO 2 nanoparticles (NPs) in different weight ratios (0%–50%) into the PANi matrix. X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to form the polyaniline-SnO 2 nanocomposites (PANi-SnO 2 ) — a polymer-composite. PANi films modified with SnO 2 NPs were prepared by the spin coating method. The gas sensing properties of PANi, SnO 2 and PANi-SnO 2 polymercomposite films were observed and it was found that: The response of PANi film to 100 ppm NH 3 at room temperature was 30% (stability 58%). The response of SnO 2 film to 100 ppm NO 2 was 19% (stability 79%) at operating temperature 200°C, which is higher than the room temperature. However, SnO 2 exhibited no response to NO 2 and NH 3 at room temperature. The properties of the polymer-composite as a gas sensor were studied for various reducing (CH 3 OH, C 2 H 5 OH, NH 3 , H 2 S) as well as oxidising (NO 2 and Cl 2 ) gases. We demonstrated that the PANi-SnO 2 (50%) polymer-composite film offers high stability and reproducibility and is a superior sensor to toxic gases operating at room temperature. (Results showed that they are highly selective to NH 3 along with maximum response − 72% to 100 ppm, fast-response time of 167 s and better stability − 86% at room temperature. The unique nanostructure of this polymer composite with its high surface area offers these advantages.