Flexible ZnO/PANI/nonwoven nanocomposite based high-sensitive NH3 gas sensor via vapor phase polymerization method

Abstract

A new synthetic method to flexible sensor towards NH3 with response magnitude as high as 4300% was based on vapor phase polymerization (VPP), where zinc oxide (ZnO) sheets were exposed to polyaniline (PANI) vapors on the flexible nonwoven fabric substrate. A possible brick wall masonry assembly structure of ZnO and PANI on the surface of nonwoven fabric was provided, which also possessed excellent mechanical flexibility and thermostability. The response value of flexible ZnO/PANI/nonwoven sensor increased from 5% to 4300% with the NH3 concentration varied over a wide range (0.5–10 ppm) at room temperature. Flexible and conductive ZnO/PANI/nonwoven composite material has good potential applications as NH3 gas sensor in environment monitoring components and wearable flexible devices.

Keywords

• Zinc oxide
• Polyaniline
• Nonwoven
• Ammonia
• Gas sensor