Polypyrrole nanofibers/phosphorus-doped graphene nanocomposite for efficient room temperature real-time monitoring of ammonia

This research work focuses on the potential applications of polypyrrole nanofibers and phosphorus-doped graphene (PPy/P-rGO) in gas sensing devices. The synthesis and characterization of PPy/P-rGO nanocomposites were conducted to assess their suitability for gas sensing applications. The nanocomposites were synthesized using a combination of hydrothermal processing and in situ polymerization methods. Various characterization techniques such as XRD, Raman spectroscopy, FESEM, and HRTEM were employed to analyze the synthesized nanocomposites. The PPy/P-rGO nanocomposite was then used to fabricate gas sensing devices on soda lime substrate through spin coating technique. The sensing behavior of these devices was evaluated in different chemical vapor environments, including ammonia, methanol, ethanol, acetone, and chloroform. The PPy/P-rGO nanocomposite sensor exhibited a response time of 20 s, a recovery time of 57 s, a detection limit of 0.082 ppm (82 ppb), and a sensing response of ~ 460%, which was about 3.96 times greater than the sensing response of the pure PPy sensor (116%), which indicates an effective modification of the PPy device through the addition of P-rGO. The PPy/P-rGO sensor exhibits a remarkably linear gas response when exposed to ammonia concentrations ranging from 1 to 100 ppm. The synergistic effects of PPy and P-rGO demonstrate the potential of these nanocomposites in overcoming challenges faced by gas sensing technologies and developing high-performance devices.