Optimizing the Sensitivity of the Ammonia Sensor by Citric Acid Doping

The sensitivity and selectivity of a sensor indicate the sensor’s superiority in detecting. Detection of ammonia gas is essential for tracking the amount of ammonia in the body or describing the extent of probing renal disease or another disease. This study developed an ammonia detection sensor using a simple Molecular Imprinting Polymer (MIP) method based on Quartz Crystal Microbalance (QCM). The use of the MIP method improves the sensitivity n selectivity. The electrospun polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) nanofiber with Citric Acid (CA) doping for ammonia sensor with better sensitivity and selectivity was devised. The results of nanofiber were examined mainly by SEM EDX and spectroscopy of FTIR. The ammonia sensor with 6% boric acid addition has a sensitivity of 0.079 Hz/ppm. After using the MIP method, the sensitivity is 0.243 Hz/ppm, more than three times greater than the QCM PVAc without the MIP method (NIP), likewise, for sensitivities of other BA concentrations. Apart from the significantly enhanced sensitivity, the high selectivity to ammonia is compared to another analyte. The development of the QCM PVAc doped CA sensor and the MIP method increased ammonia sensitivity and selectivity. This method sensing device is expected to be a promising alternative to detect other analytes using other polymers and doping.