Fast response ammonia sensor based on porous thin film of polyaniline/sulfonated nickel phthalocyanine composites

Highlights

PANI/NiTSPc composites were deposited on interdigitated Au electrode.

The response value of the film to 100 ppm NH3 was 2.75 with a response time of 10 s.

The performance results from the thin-film structure and the “NH3-capture” effect.

Abstract

Porous thin film composites of PANI/NiTSPc were deposited across the gaps of interdigitated Au electrodes (IAE) by an electrochemical polymerization method. The PANI/NiTSPc films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images, atomic force microscopy (AFM) images, energy dispersive spectra (EDS), Raman spectra and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra. Ammonia (NH3) gas-sensing properties of the films prepared at optimum conditions were examined at room temperature. The observed response value (S) of the film to 100 ppm NH3 was 2.75 with a response time as short as 10 s. Furthermore, fast recovery rate, good reproducibility and acceptable long-term stability were also observed over a concentration range from 5 to 2500 ppm The outstanding sensing performance may be attributed to the porous, ultra-thin film structure and the “NH3-capture” effect of the “flickering” NiTSPc molecules. Therefore, the proposed PANI/NiTSPc nanocomposite thin film sensors are excellent potential candidates for NH3 detection.

Keywords

Polyaniline
Phthalocyanine
Ammonia
Sensor
Porous thin film

Li Zhihua is a PhD candidate from School of Food & Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University. His research interests are rapid detection of food quality and safety using advanced biosensors.

Zhou Xucheng is pursuing his MSc degree under the supervision of professor Zou Xiaobo at Jiangsu University. His research interests are rapid detection of food quality and safety using advanced biosensors.

Shi Jiyong the PhD from the School of Food & Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, and now, he is a lecturer of Jiangsu University. His interests include rapid detection of food quality and safety using advanced biosensors.

Zou Xiaobo received the PhD from the School of Food & Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, and now, he is a full professor of Jiangsu University. His interests include rapid detection of food quality and safety using advanced biosensors.

Huang Xiaowei is a PhD candidate from School of Food & Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University. Her main areas of interests include the application of biosensors and optical sensors in analysis of food quality.

Haroon Elrasheid Tahir is a PhD candidate from School of Food & Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University. His research interests are rapid detection of food quality and safety using advanced biosensors.

Mel Holmes is a lecturer of University of Leeds. His interests include food processing, food science and nutrition, statistical and sensory analysis and mathematical modeling.

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