Nanoscale engineering of polypyrrole-silver oxide composites for rapid and ultrasensitive room temperature carbon monoxide detection

Abstract

In this work, a silver oxide decorated Polypyrrole (Ag2O@Ppy) composites-based sensor was fabricated, for the first time, via a simple solution mixing method. Extensive materials characterization, via XRD, AFM, SEM, UV–vis, FTIR, and Raman spectroscopies, elucidated the tailored nanoarchitecture, unveiling Ag2O nanoparticle decoration homogenously encapsulating Ppy matrices. Systematic comparative gas sensing analysis demonstrated remarkably high sensitivity and selectivity towards CO versus other hazardous species (NH3, NO2, H2S, SO2). A superb 387% response at 300 ppm CO was achieved, significantly exceeding other gases. Remarkably, outstanding 156% response even at ultralow 10 ppm concentration reflected an exceptional limit of detection rivaling most sensors. Rapid, reversible response kinetics with 111 s reaction and 66 s recovery times arose from synergistic coupling between Ppy and Ag2O nanoparticles enabling expedited charge transfer. Excellent linearity spanned an ultrawide 10–600 ppm range. Unprecedented performance combined sensitivity, selectivity, speed, stability, and ambient temperature operation. The work unveils tremendously promising Ppy-Ag2O nanocomposites for next-generation chemiresistive CO monitoring critical for environmental safety and healthcare.