Preparation of a low-cost and eco-friendly ammonia sensor based on nanocomposite of conductive polymer

Here we present, a useful ammonia (NH3) gas sensor based on nanocomposite of conductive polymer film as an active sensing layer. The nanocomposite films were successfully deposited on a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) flexible substrate by a simple in-situ polymerization technique. Ammonia (NH3) gas-sensing properties of the films prepared at optimum conditions were examined at room temperature in the range of 5–1000 ppm. The room temperature functioning of the sensor is critical, which facilitates low-power operation and also enhances the life time of a sensor. The observed variation in resistance of PANI film corresponding to 1000 ppm and 200 ppm of NH3 exposure, is approximately 520 and 110 times of that observed for ∼5 ppm of NH3. Furthermore, good reproducibility and long-term stability were also observed over a concentration range from 5 to 1000 ppm. Moreover the sensor is mechanically robust and can be bentsharply without damage, demonstrating excellent mechanical stability and exhibiting no lack in performance even after several bending cycles. These results indicate that the nanocomposite of conductive polymer films on flexible substrates are promising for portable on-site detection

Keywords:

nanocomposite , Ammonia vapor , Gas sensor , conductive polymer