Room temperature ammonia sensing by CdS nanoparticle decorated polyaniline (PANI) nanorods

In the present work, a chemical co-dispersion technique is employed to develop CdS decorated polyaniline (PANI) nanocomposite. The composite film is used to develop into room temperature ammonia (NH3) sensor. Prior to sensing study, the composite films are characterized to elucidate the structural, morphological and thermal properties. Structural and morphological studies reveal attachment of CdS nanoparticles on polyaniline nanorods. Gas sensing properties of PANI-CdS composite sensor is studied thoroughly and compared with bare PANI sensor. The room temperature gas response towards acetone, ammonia, methanol, formaldehyde and ethanol is investigated and found the sensor to be selective towards ammonia. The maximum gas response of 250 % is achieved with 74 % stability for the composite sensors upon exposure of 100 ppm of NH3 at room temperature. Response and recovery times show a decreasing trend with increasing concentration of NH3 gas. (C) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.