To study the performance of polyaniline-based copper and carbon-nanotube (PANI@Cu@CNT) nanocomposite for harmful NH₃ gas sensing

This study examined a room temperature operative, highly sensitive, stable, and selective PANI ammonia (NH₃) gas sensor using multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and copper nanocomposites (Cu). The silicon substrate was coated with the sensing materials using the drop casting technique. To synthesize PANI, PANI@Cu@MWCNT nanocomposites chemical polymerisation method and ultrasonication techniques were used. In comparison to three PANI nano-composite sensor, which demonstrated sensing responses of 18%, 28%, and 43%, respectively, the PANI@Cu₃@MWCNT₃-based sensor demonstrated a greater sensing response of 116% under the room temperature conditions of NH₃ (100 ppm). The resistance variation of all the sensors is 62 kΩ, 78 kΩ, 89 kΩ, and 90 kΩ respectively. The PANI@Cu₃@MWCNT₃ based sensor exhibited excellent results in term of resistance (90 kΩ). The stability, response time (10 s), and recovery time (13 s) of PANI@Cu₂@MWCNT₂ is measured and has better results in terms of time than all other sensors. Pure PANI nano-composite sensor has shown the sensing response of 18%, resistance variation of 62 kΩ, response time (45 s), recovery time (48 s) respectively. The sensing materials were characterized using FTIR, XRD, EDX, and FESEM techniques. PANI and PANI@Cu@MWCNT nanocomposites’ gas sensing capabilities were examined using a Keithley 6514 multimeter.