Chemiresistive sensing of volatile ammonia over zinc oxide encapsulated polypyrrole based nanocomposite

The present research manuscript demonstrates the chemiresistive sensing of volatile ammonia from the soil over zinc oxide encapsulated polypyrrole (ZnO-en-PPy) composite prepared by in-situ chemical polymerization technique using ferric chloride as a polymerizing agent. The observed analytical result revealed the formation of nanocomposite with optimized crystallinity, improved thermal stability, and responsive electrical conductivity against ammonia concentration. Further, a thin film of the composite was casted on a glass rod to prepare a portable resistive type ammonia sensor for atmospheric and volatile ammonia from the soil with observed sensing parameters i.e. sensitivity range of 1 ppm-100 ppm, sensitivity 0.4947 k omega-ppm- 1, response time 45 s, recovery time 55 s, and stability for 90 days.

Automated summary

This research manuscript demonstrates the chemiresistive sensing of volatile ammonia using a ZnO-en-PPy composite prepared with ferric chloride as a polymerizing agent. The composite showed optimized crystallinity, improved thermal stability, and responsive electrical conductivity against ammonia concentration. A portable resistive type ammonia sensor was successfully prepared with sensitivity range of 1 ppm-100 ppm, sensitivity 0.4947 k omega-ppm- 1, response time 45 s, recovery time 55 s, and stability for 90 days.