Multifunctional porous polyaniline/phosphorus-nitrogen co-doped graphene nanocomposite for efficient room temperature ammonia sensing and high-performance supercapacitor applications

In the pursuit of developing advanced materials with multifunctional capabilities, the integration of polymers and graphene-based materials has garnered significant attention. In the quest for the synergy between polyaniline (PANI) and phosphorus, nitrogen dual co-doped graphene (PNGN) has emerged as a promising avenue for multifunctional applications in supercapacitors and gas sensing devices. The PANI/PNGN 15 % nanocomposites were synthesized by a combination of hydrothermal processing and in-situ polymerization techniques. The synthesized nanocomposites were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies. The PANI/PNGN 15 % nanocomposite sensor has shown sensing response values of -810 %, the response time of 21 s, recovery time of 56 s, and a detection limit of 0.082 ppm. The PANI/PNGN 15 % nanocomposite achieved a remarkable specific capacitance of 750.41 F g-1 at a current density of 5 A g-1. Moreover, the symmetrical supercapacitor exhibits remarkable rate capability, achieving (-82.14 % at 5 Ag-1), while also maintaining excellent cycling stability. The synergistic effects of PANI and PNGN contribute to the development of highperformance devices, paving the way for advancements in the fields of supercapacitors and gas sensing technologies.