Hierarchical PANI/MWCNT Nanocomposite: Synthesis, Characterization and Gas Sensing Properties

doi:10.3724/SP.J.1077.2010.01092

Abstract

Abstract: Hierarchical polyaniline/multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanocables was synthesized by in-situ chemical polymerization directed by cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). Morphological and structural characteristics, gas-sensing properties, as well as thermal stability of the hybrid nanocomposites were characterized by using various techniques, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscope (FT-IR), UV-Visible absorption spectrum(UV-Vis), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electronmicroscope (TEM), thermogravimetric analyzer and gas-sensing measurement. The results indicate that the as-prepared PANI/MWCNT is uniform with 20nm thick needle-like PANI shell. The sensors based on PANI/MWCNT nanocomposites and pure PANI are tested for ammonia gas. Compared with the reported PANI/MWCNT without needle-like PANI, the as-prepared PANI/MWCNT nanocomposites sensors have higher sensitivity and repeatability, and better response/reproducibility towards ammonia at room temperature and also exhibits the higher sensitivity.

Key words: PANI/MWCNT, gas sensing, hierarchical, needle-like, ammonia

CLC Number:

TP212

XIAO Yuan-Hua, TANG Xin-Cun, WANG Zhi-Min, LI Feng, CHEN Gu-Chun, LI Lian-Xing, ZHANG Liang. Hierarchical PANI/MWCNT Nanocomposite: Synthesis, Characterization and Gas Sensing Properties[J]. Journal of Inorganic Materials, 2010, 25(10): 1092-1098.

References

[1] Iijima S. Helical microtubules of graphitic carbon. Nature, 1991, 354(6348): 56-58. [2] Shin H C, Liu M L, Sadanadan B, et al. Electrochemical insertion of lithium into multiwalled carbon nanotubes prepared by catalytic decomposition. J. Power Sources, 2002, 112(1): 216-221. [3] Rajalakshmib N, Ryub H, Shaijumona M M, et al. Performance of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells with carbon nanotubes as oxygen reduction catalyst support material. J. Power Sources, 2005, 140(2): 250-257. [4] Tans S J, Verschueren A R, Dekker C. Room temperature transistor based on a single carbon nanotube. Nature, 1998, 393(6680): 49-52. [5] Bonard J M, Kind H, Stockli T, et al. Field emission from carbon nanotubes: the first five years. Solid State Electron., 2001, 45(6): 893-914. [6] Canobre S C, Almeida D A L, Polo F C, et al. Synthesis and characterization of hybrid composites based on carbon nanotubes. Electrochim. Acta, 2009, 54(26): 6383-6388. [7] Long Y, Yin Z, Chen Z. Low temperature magnetoresistance studies on composite films of conducting polymer and multiwalled carbon nanotubes. J. Phys. Chem. C, 2008, 112(30): 11507-11512. [8] Qian D, Dickey E C, Andrews R, et al. Load transfer and deformation mechanisms in carbon nanotubepolystyrene composites. Appl. Phys. Lett., 2000, 76(20): 2868-2870. [9] Sivakkumar S J, Kim D W. Polyaniline/carbon nanotube composite cathode for rechargeable lithium polymer batteries assembled with gel polymer electrolyte. J. Electrochem. Soc., 2007, 154(2): A134-A139. [10] Sivakkumar S R, MacFarlane D R, Forsyth M, et al. Ionic liquid- based rechargeable lithium metal-polymer cells assembled with polyaniline/carbon nanotube composite cathode. J. Electrochem. Soc., 2007, 154(9): A834-838. [11] Phang S W,Tadokoro M, Watanabe J, et al. Synthesis characterization and microwave absorption property of doped polyaniline nanocomposites containing TiO2 nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes. Synthetic Met., 2008, 158(6): 251-258. [12] Vaithilingam S, Muthukaruppan A. Pt and Pt-Ru nanoparticles decorated polypyrrole/multiwalled carbon nanotubes and their catalytic activity towards methanol oxidation. Electrochem. Commun., 2007, 9(5): 1145-1153. [13] Vaithilingam S, Muthukaruppan A. Ethylene glycol oxidation on Pt and Pt-Ru nanoparticle decorated polythiophene/multiwalled carbon nanotube composites for fuel cell applications. Nanotechnology, 2008, 19(4): 045504-1-8. [14] Yoo K P, Kwon K H, Min N K, et al. Effects of O2 plasma treatment on NH3 sensing characteristics of multiwall carbon nanotube/polyaniline composite films. Sensor Actuat B: Chem., 2009, 143(1): 333-340. [15] Ko J M, Ryu K S, Kim S, et al. Supercapacitive properties of composite electrodes consisting of polyaniline, carbon nanotube, and RuO2. J. Appl. Electrochem., 2009, 39(8): 1331-1337. [16] Alivisatos A P. Semiconductor clusters, nanocrystals, and quantum dots. Science, 1996, 271(5251): 933-937. [17] Huang J, Kaner R B. A general chemical route to polyaniline nanofibers. J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2004, 126(3): 851-855. [18] He L F, Jia Y, Meng F, et al. Gas sensors for ammonia detection based on polyanilinecoated multiwall carbon nanotubes. Mat. Sci. Eng. B, 2009, 163(2): 76-81. [19] Zhang X T, Zhang J, Wang R M, et al. Cationic surfactant directed polyaniline/CNT nanocables:synthesis, characterization, and enhanced electrical properties. Carbon, 2004, 42(8/9): 1455-1461. [20] Choudhury A. Polyaniline/silver nanocomposites: dielectric properties and ethanol vapour sensitivity. Sensor Actuat B: Chem., 2009, 138(1): 318-325. [21] Srivastavaa S, Sharmaa S S, Agrawala S, et al. Study of chemiresistor type CNT doped polyaniline gas sensor. Synth. Met., 2010, 160(5/6): 529-534. [22] Sun X M, Li X L, Li Y D. Use of carbonaceous polysaccharide microspheres as templates for fabricating metal oxide hollow spheres.-Chem. Eur. J., 2006, 12(7): 2039-2047. [23] Kakarla R R, Byung C S, Chi H Y, et al. Coating of multiwalled carbon nanotubes with polymer nanospheres through microemulsion polymerization. J. Colloid Interf. Sci., 2009, 340(2): 160-165. [24] KulszewiczBajer I, Sobczak J, Hasik M, et al. Spectroscopic studies of polyaniline protonation with poly(alkylene phosphates). Polymer, 1996, 37(1): 25-30. [25] Reddy K R, Lee K P, Kim J Y, et al. Self assembly and graft polymerization route to monodispersed Fe3O4@SiO2 polyaniline coreshell composite nanoparticles: physical properties. J. Nanosci. Nanotechno., 2008, 8(11): 5632-5639. [26] Czerw R, Guo Z, Ajayan P M, et al. Organization of polymers onto carbon nanotubes: a route to nanoscale assembly. Nano Lett., 2001, 1(8): 423-427. [27] Gao M, Huang S M, Dai L M, et al. Aligned coaxial nanowires of carbon nanotubes sheathed with conducting polymers. Angew Chem. Int. Ed., 2000, 39(20): 3664-3667. [28] Chen R J, Zhang Y G, Wang D W, et al. Noncovalent sidewall functionalization of single-walled carbon nanotubes for protein immobilization. J. Am. Chem .Soc., 2001, 123(16): 3838-3839. [29] Cao Y, Smith P, Heeger A. Spectroscopic studies of polyaniline in solution and in spin cast films. Synth. Met., 1989, 32(3): 263-281. [30] 王会才. 高分子纳米复合气敏材料及气体传感器. 杭州: 浙江大学博士论文, 2007. [31] Tchmutin I A, Ponomarenko A T, Krinichnaya E P, et al. Electrical properties of composites based on conjugated polymers and conductive fillers. Carbon, 2003, 41(7): 1391-1395. [32] Kukla A L, Shirshov Y M, Piletsky S A. Ammonia sensors based on sensitive polyaniline films. Sensor Actuat B:Chem., 1996, 47(3): 135-140. [33] Tian W, Yang L M, Xu Y Z, et al. FTIR study on the structure of crystalline galactaric acid and its K+, NH4+, Ca2+, Ba2+, and La3+ complexes. Carbohyd. Res., 2000, 324(1): 45-52.