Chemiresistive sensors based on Dodecyl benzene Sulfonic acid doped Polypyrrole and Reduced Graphene Oxide for nitrogen oxides

Abstract

Abstract A new series of polypyrrole doped with n-dodecylbenzene sulphonic acid/reduced graphene oxide (PPy-DBSA/rGO) nanocomposite was electrodeposited on Indium tin oxide coated Polyethylene terephthalate (ITO/PET) flexible substrate by electrochemical route using the chronoamperometric technique. As-prepared for testing of chemiresistive properties against the detection of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) vapors at room temperature. The sensitivity and reactivity of the composite toward NO2 was evaluated. The recorded morphological and structural data confirmed that the PPy-DBSA/rGO forms a homogeneous nanocomposite. The optimal NO2 sensing properties have been revealed by the PPy-DBSA/rGO in terms of response (43%), response time (30.25 s), the detection limit (1ppm), and reproducibility. Furthermore, Results showed that the doped by sulfonic acid improved both the sensitivity and the reactivity of our produced nanocomposite toward NO2. Due to the strong interactions between the NO2 gas molecules and the rGO was dramatically enhanced the electronic properties of these nanocomposites. These striking characteristics of the newly developed nanocomposites make them very suitable to be used as NO2 gas sensor.