Preparation of modified MWCNTs-doped PANI nanorods
by oxygen plasma and their ammonia-sensing properties
Hai-Ying Du
•
Jing Wang
•
Peng-Jun Yao
•
Yu-Wen Hao
•
Xiao-Gan Li
Received: 23 October 2012 / Accepted: 11 January 2013 / Published online: 24 January 2013
Ó Springer Science+Business Media New York 2013
Abstract Multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)-
doped polyaniline (PANI) nanopowders were prepared by
chemical oxidation polymerization. Then, the MWCNTs-
doped PANI nanopowders were modified by a radio fre-
quency (RF) oxygen plasma source. The morphology and
structure of modified MWCNTs-doped PANI nanorods
were analyzed by SEM and FI-IR. Gas sensors were fab-
ricated based on plasma modified MWCNTs-doped PANI
nanorods to detect ammonia at room temperature. The
response amplitude of the gas sensor based on modified
MWCNTs-doped PANI nanorods was much higher than
those of MWCNTs-doped PANI nanopowders and pure
PANI nanopowders sensors, respectively, in ammonia
concentration range of 10–150 ppm. Cross responses of
modified MWCNTs-doped PANI nanorods sensor to
ammonia, ethanol, formaldehyde, and toluene were tested.
The sensor showed good selectivity and stability. The
sensing mechanism of modified MWCNTs-doped PANI
nanorods gas sensor was analyzed.
Introduction
Intrinsically conducting polymers, including polyacetylene
[1], polyaniline (PANI) [2], polypyrrole [3], polythiophene
[4], poly(p-phenylene-vinylene), etc., are termed intrinsi-
cally conducting polymers that possess the electrical,
electronic, magnetic, and optical properties of a metal
while retaining the mechanical property, processability,
etc., commonly associated with a conventional polymer,
and more commonly known as ‘‘synthetic metals’’ [5].
Among many conducting polymers, PANI is generally
recognized as one of the most important conducting poly-
mers, and has a great potential for the commercial appli-
cation because of its unique electrical and optical
properties as well as its ease of preparation and excellent
environment stability [6–10].
Since the discovery of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) [11],
multi-walled (MWCNTs) and single-walled carbon nano-
tubes (SWCNTs) have exhibited outstanding chemical
stability, superior mechanical strength, unique electrical,
and thermal conductivity combined with non-linear optical
properties [12, 13]. More and more researchers have been
attracted in exploring possible applications of carbon
nanotubes with good electrical and mechanical properties,
such as structure-reinforcing materials, electrical and
optical nanodevices, catalysis, hydrogen storage, etc.
[14–19]. Owing to their good electrical conductivity, very
high specific areas and the quantum effects connected with
their nanosized structure, CNTs were also investigated as
sensitive materials of chemical sensors for detection of a
broad class of gases [20–27].
In recent years, incorporation of carbon nanotubes into
conducting polymers can lead to new composite materials
possessing the properties of each component with a syn-
ergistic effect that would be useful in particular
H.-Y. Du J. Wang (&) P.-J. Yao Y.-W. Hao X.-G. Li
School of Electronic Science and Technology, Dalian University
of Technology, Dalian 116023, People’s Republic of China
e-mail: wangjing@dlut.edu.cn
H.-Y. Du
Department of Electromechanical Engineering & Information,
Dalian Nationalities University, Dalian 116600,
People’s Republic of China
P.-J. Yao
School of Educational Technology, Shenyang Normal
University, Shenyang 110034, People’s Republic of China
123
J Mater Sci (2013) 48:3597–3604
DOI 10.1007/s10853-013-7157-4