Synthesis, characterization, electrical and sensor behavior of PANI/In2O3 nano composites

• Published in: Ferroelectrics Vol. 502; no. 1; pp. 159 - 169
• Main Authors: Sridhar B, Chakradhar, M, Sasikala, Husain, Jakeer, Pradeep, M.V.N., Ambika Prasad, M.V.N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia Taylor & Francis 25-09-2016; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: conductivity; indium oxide; LPG sensing; nano-crystalline; Polyaniline
• ISSN: 0015-0193; 1563-5112
• DOI: 10.1080/00150193.2016.1235884

Indium oxide (In
2
O
3
) nanoparticles were successfully prepared by sol-gel method. Nanocomposites of polyaniline (PANI) and Indium oxide (In
2
O
3
) have been synthesized using insitu polymerization method for different concentrations of nano In
2
O
3
powder. The formation of polymer nanocomposite and changes in its structural and micro structural properties of the materials were investigated by X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques. The surface morphology of PANI-In
2
O
3
nanocomposite was elucidated using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). DC conductivity studies of PANI-In
2
O
3
composites for different weight percentage (wt%) show thermally activated behaviour. The conductivity was found to increase with the increase in temperature indicating the semiconducting behaviour of all the compositions. Maximum conductivity was observed in 30 wt% of In
2
O
3
in polyaniline. On exposure of the composites to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), increase in resistance was observed with the increase in gas concentration. Maximum sensitivity for gas sensing was observed in the composite of 50 wt% In
2
O
3
in polyaniline.