ZnO assisted polyaniline nanofibers and its application as ammonia gas sensor

A novel route for the synthesis of polyaniline nanofibers in the presence of varying amounts of zinc oxide has been reported in this paper. The homogeneous PANI nanofibers were prepared through template approach, in which the ZnO nanoparticles were used as template. Structural, optical and morphological analysis of synthesized nanofibers was carried out using X-ray diffraction, UV-vis, IR spectroscopy and FESEM techniques. The thick films of the synthesized polyaniline powder were deposited on alumina substrate and their sensing response to ammonia gas was investigated. Optimum sensing response was achieved with PANI nanofibers synthesized in the presence of 30 wt% ZnO powder. The sensing response of fabricated sensor was proportional to the ammonia gas concentration and exhibited excellent selectivity toward ammonia gas.