Sensitive Elements of Gas Sensors Based on Poly-O-Toluidine/Silica Nanoparticles Composite

Yu. Horbenkoa, B. Tsizhb, c, M. Dzerynb, I. Olenycha, O. Aksimentyevaa, V. Bogatyrevd aIvan Franko National University of Lviv, 6/8 Kyryla & Mefodia str., 79005 Lviv, Ukraine bStepan Gzytsky Lviv National University of Veterinary Medicine and Biotechnologies, 50 Pekarska str., 79010 Lviv, Ukraine cKazimierz Wielki University, 30 Chodkiewicza str., 85-064 Bydgoszcz, Poland dO.O. Chuiko Institute of Surface Chemistry NAS of Ukraine, 17 Henerala Naumova str., 03164 Kyiv, Ukraine

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In this work, the thin films of conducting polymer composites of poly-o-toluidine with incorporated modified silica nanoparticles on optically transparent substrates were manufactured. The influence of gas vapours (HCl, H2S, NH3) on the absorption spectra of the experimental samples was studied. It has been found that only ammonia molecules cause the appearance of an additional optical absorption peak at 610 nm, confirming that the polymer composite can be used as sensitive elements of optical sensors for selective detection of NH3. In addition, it has been established that the specific surface resistance of the obtained films increases significantly under the action of H2S and NH3 gases. The incorporation of the silica nanoparticles provides greater surface area of the sensors and their high sensitivity to toxic gases of different nature.

DOI:10.12693/APhysPolA.141.386 topics: gas sensor, poly-o-toluidine, silica nanoparticles, optical absorption, resistivity