Highly response and humidity-resistant gas sensor based on polyaniline-functionalized Bi2MoO6 with UV activation

The bismuth molybdate (Bi2MoO6) has shown great application potential in the field of gas sensing owing to its abundant Lewis acid sites, suitable energy band and unique layered structure. In this work, a room temperature, highly response, selectivity and humidity-resistant NH3 gas sensor based on the Bi2MoO6/Polyaniline (BMO/PANI) nanocomposite was successfully developed by an in-situ chemical oxidative polymerization process. The obtained samples were characterized by X-ray diffractometer, UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra, Transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, etc. A series of gas-sensing properties studies were conducted with the assistance of UV light, which indicate that UV light illumination could significantly enhance the response of the prepared BMO/PANI sensor and short recovery time (71s). Additionally, the sensor also demonstrated excellent selectivity, repeatability, long-term stability, and moisture resistance. These outstanding characteristics of the sensor are attributed to the dramatic increase of surface state density upon activation by the UV light and the distinctive heterogeneous interface strengthens the interfacial charge transfer.