Synthesis and characterization of V2O5/PANI thin films for application in amperometric ammonia gas sensors.

Studies of xerogel vanadium pentoxide hybrids in the presence of polyaniline (V2O5/PANI) for ammonia gas detection are presented. The hybrid materials were obtained in an oxidative polymerization/intercalation process, in which gel reacted with the monomers of the polymers. In situ characterization revealed V2O5/PANI hybrids with lamellar structure. Finally, the electric impedance technique was used for determining the optimal frequency band for operation of an Ag/V2O5/PANI/Ag amperometric ammonia gas sensor, to achieve linearity and stability. The results indicate that the sensor can detect gaseous ammonia in the 0?54 ppm range of concentrations. This characteristic is important for successful applications in easy to handle and low-cost ammonia gas sensors for animal confinement husbandry, for which current variation and difficulties related to electrode effects and dielectric absorption of V2O5 and PANI are negligible