Synthesis and characterization of V_2O_5/PANI thin films for application in amperometric ammonia gas sensors

摘要

Studies of xerogel vanadium pentoxide hybrids in the presence of polyaniline (V2O5/PANI) for ammonia gas detection are presented. The hybrid materials were obtained in an oxidative polymerization/intercalation process, in which gel reacted with the monomers of the polymers. In situ characterization revealed V2O5/PANI hybrids with lamellar structure. Finally, the electric impedance technique was used for determining the optimal frequency band for operation of an Ag/V2O/PANI/Ag amperometric ammonia gas sensor, to achieve linearity and stability. The results indicate that the sensor can detect gaseous ammonia in the 0-54 ppm range of concentrations. This characteristic is important for successful applications in easy to handle and low-cost ammonia gas sensors for animal confinement husbandry, for which current variation and difficulties related to electrode effects and dielectric absorption of V2O5 and PANI are negligible.