CSA doped polyaniline/CdS organic–inorganic nanohybrid: Physical and gas sensing properties

Camphor sulfonic acid (CSA) doped polyaniline/CdS nanohybrid materials were prepared by chemical oxidative polymerization method and characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. It is proved that there is a strong synergetic interaction between the CSA and polyaniline–CdS nanohybrid. Gas sensing measurements showed that the gas sensor based on the CSA doped PANi–CdS nanohybrid had high sensor response (75%), good selectivity (for H2S) and stability (97.34%), as well as comparatively short recovery time to H2S, operating at room temperature. The enhanced gas sensing performance of the nanohybrid is due to the high surface area of the CSA doped PANi–CdS hybrids and the p–n heterojunction formed between p-type polyaniline and n-type CdS nanoparticles.