Organic/Inorganic Nanocomposite for Enhancement of H₂S Gas Sensor

Abstract:

This work presents improvement of H₂S gas sensing capability by introducing TiO₂ in conductive polymer namely “MEH-PPV”. Firstly, the organic conjugated polymer poly ( 2-methoxy-5- ( 2'-ethythexyloxy) - 1,4-phenlenevinylene) and TiO₂ was dissolved in chloroform solvent. The two solutions “MEH-PPV” and TiO₂ were mixed in a volume ratio of (0.002 and 0.008) respectively and spin-coated on Si substrate for realizing facile and low-cost sensors. The X-Ray diffraction spectrum of (MEH-PPV/TiO₂) nanocomposite thin films was studied, all the pattern showed that the structure is amorphous. The morphology was demonstrated by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) images for MEH-PPV and MEH-PPV/TiO₂ films which shows formed anano flower like structure with introduces of TiO₂All films were examined by Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) which revealed the average roughness increment from 0.204 to 1.25 nm with increase the mixed rate of TiO₂. The “MEH-PPV/TiO₂” based sensors also shown noticeable responses when the sensors exposure to H₂S gas at the concentration of 25ppm. The maximum sensitivity for MEH-PPV/(0.008) TiO₂ was 528.1 at operating temperature at 100^°C, whereas the response and recovery time was ~ 21.5 s and ~3.8 s, respectively.

• Periodical: Nano Hybrids and Composites (Volume 25)
• Pages: 12-21
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/NHC.25.12
• Online since: April 2019
• Authors: Isam M. Ibrahim, Shahad Issam Sharhan*
• Keywords: Conductive Polymer, Gas Sensor, Nanocomposite, Thin Film, Titanium Dioxide

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