Synthesis Of Al Doped PANI/Tio2 Nanocomposite For Gas Sensing And Solar Applications

Abstract

Aluminium (Al) doped PANI/TiO₂ nanocomposite was synthesized by adding TiO₂/Al nanopowder during oxidation polymerization method. TiO₂/Al nanopowder is prepared by using sol-gel method. PANI/TiO₂-Al nanocomposite was characterized by X-ray diffraction technique (XRD) and it was observed that TiO₂ exits in mixed anatase/rutile phase along with Al and PANI peaks. The crystallite size of PANI and TiO₂ was found to be 15±5 nm and 30±5 nm respectively. UV spectra exhibits that the value of energy band gap reduces significantly as 1.32 eV as compared to pure TiO₂. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) suggests that TiO₂ exhibits cylindrical morphology in PANI matrix. Gas sensing of PANI/TiO₂-Al nanocomposite shows sensitivity towards H₂ gas at room temperature. Hence Al doped PANI/TiO₂ nanocomposite can play vital role in the development of gas sensing and solar applications.