Sensitivity and selectivity studies on polyaniline / molybdenum trioxide composites to liquid petroleum gas

Abstract

The LPG sensing material polyaniline / molybdenum oxide composites were prepared by insitu polymerization In situ polymerization with 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50wt % of MoO3 in PANI and were characterized by SEM and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The variation of sensitivity with Parts Per Million by volume (PPM)v and time respectively is observed, when the pressed pellets of the polymer were exposed to the LPG. The selectivity studies of these composites shows remarkable sensitivity for 10, 40 & 50 wt%, after its exposure to LPG, oxyacetylene, ethanol and H2S gas. Maximum sensitivity is found to be 78 % and 50 % for LPG and oxyacetylene gas respectively. The response time has been estimated to be 6.66 and 13.33 minutes for LPG. The results obtained for these composites are of scientific and technological interest. © 2011 IFSA.