Synthesis of polypyrrole films for the development of ammonia sensor

In the present investigation, we have synthesized a polypyrrole films by chemical polymerization technique for the development of ammonia sensor. The polypyrrole films were synthesized in an aqueous acidic medium on glass substrate with mild oxidation of ferric chloride at temperature 29°C. The concentrations (molar) of monomer (pyrrole), oxidant (ferric chloride), and dopant (polyvinyl sulfonate) have been optimized for the uniform and porous surface morphology of the synthesized polypyrrole film. The synthesized films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, ultraviolet‐visible, and Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy. Ammonia gas sensing behavior of polypyrrole films was studied by using indigenously developed gas sensing chamber. The synthesized polypyrrole film with optimized process parameters shows excellent and reproducible response to low concentration (100 ppm) of ammonia gas.