Cu-Loaded Polyaniline-Coated MoO₃ Nanowire Nanohybrids for High-Sensitivity NH₃ Sensing at Room Temperature

The Cu-loaded polyaniline-coated MoO 3 nanowire ternary nanohybrids were successfully prepared by the solution heat method and in situ oxidation polymerization method for traces of ammonia (NH 3 ) detection at room temperature. The prepared ternary nanohybrids were placed on the fork finger electrode of the alumina substrate by a spin coating method. The gas sensitivity of the devices to NH 3 was evaluated by the static method at room temperature. The results showed that the sensor based on the Cu-3-PMN-20 ternary nanohybrid (doping 20 wt % MoO 3 nanowires and loaded 3 wt % nano Cu in PANI) exhibited the best sensitivity (17.11), which was 6 times higher than that of pure PANI (2.86) to 100 ppm (parts-per-million) NH 3 . Meanwhile, the sensor based on Cu-3-PMN-20 ternary hybrid also showed an excellent detection limit [20 ppb(parts-per-billion)], fast response–recovery time (41/179 s), outstanding selectivity, reliable stability, and acceptable moisture resistance. Therefore, the Cu-3-PMN-20 ternary hybrid was expected to be a strong competitor in the field of NH 3 sensing at room temperature.