A novel prussian blue/polyaniline composite gas sensor for fast detection of ammonia

Abstract

This study aims reporting the development of a gas sensor composite whose phases are Prussian blue (PB) and polyaniline (PANI). Structural characterization techniques confirmed the formation of the characteristic cubic phase of Prussian blue alone and in the composite. The morphology of the particles was uneven and the elemental analysis confirmed the characteristic constituents for PANI and Prussian blue. High-resolution images demonstrated the presence of Prussian blue in an amorphous polymer medium, indicating interaction between the phases. Sensor tests demonstrated fast response time for ammonia (∼150 s) and high sensitivity (4 ppm) under ambient temperature and pressure conditions. These results demonstrate the efficiency of the sensor formed in detecting ammonia even at very low concentrations.