Room temperature ammonia sensor based on Ag NPs loaded Ti3C2Tx nanocomposites

Abstract

Ammonia (NH3) is one of the most detrimental environmental pollutants emanating from various industrial processes. Therefore, the preparation of ammonia sensors with excellent performance holds the utmost significance, ensuring environmental quality and human health. In this study, through the self-redox reaction between Ti3C2Tx and Ag+, Ag nanoparticles (NPs) loaded Ti3C2Tx MXene (Ag@MXene) were directly prepared. The as-synthesized materials were conducted a comprehensive investigation into their gas-sensing properties and were characterized utilizing analytical techniques such as XRD (X-ray Diffraction), XPS (X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy), SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope), and EDS (Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy). According to the experimental findings, the Ag@MXene sensor responds to NH3 remarkably well at room temperature, about 7 times more effectively than pure MXene performs under the same condition. Density functional theory (DFT) investigations were additionally carried out to further clarify the gas-sensing mechanisms. The technique for creating high-precision and room-temperature gas sensors is described in this paper as a workable strategy.