Highly sensitive ammonia sensor based on PSS doped ZIF-8-derived porous carbon/polyaniline hybrid film coated on quartz crystal microbalance

This paper demonstrates a QCM ammonia gas sensor based on PSS-doped ZIF-8-derived porous carbon and polyaniline decorated nanocomposite (PSS/ZIF-C/PANI). The PSS/ZIF-C/PANI composite was successfully prepared by MOFs template-carbonization and in-situ polymerization. The morphology and structure composition of the prepared samples were completely tested by various material characterization methods. The ammonia sensing properties of PSS/ZIF-C/PANI coated QCM sensor at room temperature were systematically studied. Experimental results show that the sensor possesses quite sensitivity (5.67 Hz/ppm), excellent linearity, high response/recovery capability (28 s/17 s) and selectivity towards ammonia. Meanwhile, the electrical parameters and quality factor of QCM were verified by impedance analysis. Furthermore, the potential ammonia adsorption mechanism can be mainly related to the synergistic effect of composite nanomaterials. This work confirms that the PSS/ZIF-C/PANI composite provides a new avenue for QCM ammonia sensing, and the sensor is expected to become a potential candidate for ammonia detection.

Automated summary

This paper presents a QCM ammonia gas sensor based on PSS-doped ZIF-8-derived porous carbon and polyaniline decorated nanocomposite (PSS/ZIF-C/PANI). The sensor exhibits high sensitivity, excellent linearity, and strong response/recovery capability towards ammonia. Impedance analysis confirms the electrical parameters and quality factor of the QCM, and suggests a potential ammonia adsorption mechanism related to the synergistic effect of the composite nanomaterials.