Synthesis, characterization and gas sensing performance of aluminosilicate azide cancrinite

The present investigation deals with synthesis and gas sensing performance of Na8[AlSiO4]6(N3)2.4(H2O)4.6 cancrinite-based thick film. The product obtained was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, thermogravimetric analysis and magic-angle spin nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS NMR). The crystal structure of the product was determined from X-ray powder diffraction data by applying Rietveld refinement. Refinement showed that azide cancrinite crystallize in the space group P63. Alternate arrangement of Si and Al atoms was confirmed by single intense peak of MAS NMR analysis. For the first time, this study reports the gas sensing performance of aluminosilicate azide cancrinite. The effect of annealing and operating temperature on gas sensing characteristic of azide cancrinite thick film is investigated systematically for various gases at different operating temperatures. This sensor was observed to be highly sensitive and selective to ammonia gas.