Sexual pheromone detection using PANI•Ag nanohybrid and PANI/PSS nanocomposite nanosensors

In this study, polyaniline/poly(styrene sulfonate) (PANI/PSS) nanocomposite and polyaniline center dot silver (PANI center dot Ag) nanohybrid thin films were obtained in cantilever nanosensors surface. The developed films were characterized in relation to topography, roughness, thickness, height, and structural properties. The topography study revealed that both films have a globular morphology, thickness and height in nanoscale. The gas sensing performance was investigated for sexual pheromone from the neotropical brown stink bug, Euschistus heros (F.). The sensitivities of both nanosensors based on PANI/PSS nanocomposite and PANI center dot Ag nanohybrid films were similar. The PANI center dot Ag nanohybrid nanosensor had a limit of detection of less than 3.1 ppq and limit of quantification of 10.05 ppq. The nanosensor layers were analyzed by UV-vis and FTIR showing the incorporation of Ag nanoparticles in the nanohybrid. We found that pheromone compound was adsorbed in sensing layer resulting in a reduction in the resonance frequency. The detection mechanism help us understand the good results of LOD, LOQ, sensitivity, selectivity and repeatability. The presented device has great potential for detection of the sexual pheromone from E. heros.

Automated summary

In this study, polyaniline/poly(styrene sulfonate) (PANI/PSS) nanocomposite and polyaniline center dot silver (PANI center dot Ag) nanohybrid thin films were successfully prepared for gas sensing of sexual pheromones from the neotropical brown stink bug. Both nanosensors showed similar sensitivities, but the PANI center dot Ag nanohybrid nanosensor had a lower limit of detection, making it a promising candidate for the detection of sexual pheromones. UV-vis and FTIR analysis confirmed the incorporation of Ag nanoparticles in the nanohybrid sensing layer, which contributed to the improved detection performance.