High sensitivity ammonia sensor using a hierarchical polyaniline/poly(ethylene-co-glycidyl methacrylate) nanofibrous composite membrane.

A hierarchically structured three-dimensional network nanofibrous composite membrane was prepared through in situ growing uniform polyaniline nanofibers on the surfaces of poly(ethylene-co-glycidyl methacrylate) (PE-co-GMA) nanofibers. And the nanocomposite membrane was fabricated into a super sensitive sensor of ammonia gas in ambient temperature. Morphological analysis of the nanocomposite membranes revealed uniform small nanofibers of PANI rooted on the surface of PE-co-GMA large nanofibers and a three-dimensional porous nanocomposite structure formed. Because of the ultrahigh surface areas and three-dimensional porous architecture, the prepared sensor demonstrated high sensitivity in the parts per billion range and quick response with good reproducibility to ammonia gas.