High selectivity in NO2 gas sensing applications using polythiophene-MnO2 composite thin films

Many harmful gasses are released during the burning of fossil fuels. Thus, it is essential to create gas sensors with high efficiency and low power consumption. The easy chemical bath deposition approach was used to produce the MnO2-incorporated polythiophene (PTh/MnO2) composite thin film, and its potential application in NO2 gas sensing at the operating temperature was comprehensively examined. The physicochemical properties were examined using FT-IR, FE-SEM, EDAX, AFM, and other instruments. The effects of adding MnO2 on the physicochemical and NO2-sensing properties were studied. Out of all the oxidizing and reducing gases, the PTh/MnO2 composite sensor showed the highest NO2 selectivity when tested at operating temperature (NH3, Cl2, H2S, NO2, and methane). Every PTh/MnO2 composite thin film demonstrated improved NO2 sensing capabilities, with a maximum sensitivity of 95.67 percent for 100 parts per million of gas and a response of 20.93 percent for 0.5 parts per million of gas. Furthermore, they all reacted remarkably well to decreased NO2 gas concentrations.