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Synthesis of ZnO@poly-o-methoxyaniline nanosheet composite for enhanced NH3-sensing performance at room temperature

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Abstract

Poly-o-methoxyaniline (POMA) and zinc oxide (ZnO) composites were prepared via in situ polymerization and characterized by thermogravimetry thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and N2 sorption measurement. The composites show different morphology when the ratio of POMA and ZnO varies. At a ratio of 2:2, the composite shows thinner nanosheet structure with smooth surface and exhibits best response to NH3 at room temperature. The ZnO@POMA nanosheet sensor shows good selectivity and a wide response range (linear ranges from 0.05-1 pmm and 10-100 ppm of NH3). The lowest detection limit reaches 0.05 ppm. The sensor exhibits good reversibility. Based on the testing results of ultraviolet diffuse reflection spectroscopy and Kelvin probe technique, the adsorption and desorption of NH3 molecules on the sensing material and the formation of p-n heterostructure between ZnO and POMA and their synergistic effects are further explained. More importantly, the sensor possessed excellent moisture resistance. The overall test results of ZnO@POMA show that the sensor has good practical applicability for detecting trace NH3 at room temperature.

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Funding

This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (21771060, 61271126, and 21305033), the International Science & Technology Cooperation Program of China (2016YFE0115100), Heilongjiang Educational Department (RCYJTD201903), Heilongjiang Touyan Innovation Team Program, the Basic Research Business Fees of Colleges and Universities in Heilongjiang Province (Grant No. 2018-KYYWF-1292), and Heilongjiang University Graduate Innovative Research Project (YJSCX2020-018HLJU).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory of Functional Inorganic Material Chemistry, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Heilongjiang University, Harbin, 150080, China

    Rui Gao, Hanyue Zhu, Shan Gao, Lihong Liu, Yingming Xu, Xianfa Zhang, Xiaoli Cheng & Lihua Huo

  2. College of Science, Heihe College, Heihe, 164300, China

    Lihong Liu

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  1. Rui Gao
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  2. Hanyue Zhu
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  3. Shan Gao
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  4. Lihong Liu
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Correspondence to Yingming Xu or Lihua Huo.

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Gao, R., Zhu, H., Gao, S. et al. Synthesis of ZnO@poly-o-methoxyaniline nanosheet composite for enhanced NH3-sensing performance at room temperature. Microchim Acta 187, 510 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-020-04513-2

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