Trace level toxic ammonia gas sensing of single-walled carbon nanotubes wrapped polyaniline nanofibers

This paper presents a two-step enhancement and a comprehensive analysis of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) wrapped polyaniline nanofiber (NPANI) ammonia (NH3) gas sensor at room temperature. SWCNT-PANI composites are successfully synthesized using an efficient and cost-effective rapid in situ chemical polymerization method. The structural morphology and modification of the samples are characterized using field-emission scanning electron microscopy and HRTEM. FTIR and Raman spectroscopic studies are also performed to gain a better insight into the chemical environmental interaction in the as-prepared nanocomposite. The analysis confirms the successful formation of the nanocomposite. The observed NH3 gas-sensing response at 10 ppm of SWCNT, f-SWCNT (functionalised SWCNT), and SWCNT-PANI composite sensors are 5%–6%, 18%–20%, and 24%–25%, respectively. The SWCNT-PANI composite sensors have shown higher repeatability, selectivity, long-term stability, and fast response-recovery characteristics as compared to f-SWCNTs and pristine SWCNT sensors. Concentration and temperature dependent gas-sensing studies are also analyzed. The sensor response also shows a linear relationship with NH3 gas concentration and an inverse relationship with increasing temperature.