Copper phthalocyanine noncovalent functionalized single-walled carbon nanotube with enhanced NH3 sensing performance

Two kinds of novel hybrid materials were prepared by noncovalent functionalized single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) with tetra-α-iso-pentyloxyphthalocyanine copper (CuPcTIP) and tetra-α-(2,2,4-trimethyl-3-pentyloxy) metal phthalocyanines (CuPcTTMP) and characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and scan electron microscopy. The results revealed that the CuPc derivatives had been successfully anchored on the surface of nanotubes through π–π stacking interaction. The gas sensing behaviors of the SWCNT/CuPcTIP and SWCNT/CuPcTTMP hybrid were investigated with respect to NH3 at room temperature. The response and recovery properties of SWCNT sensor to NH3 are improved due to the synergetic behavior between CuPc and SWCNT. Moreover, the SWCNT/CuPcTIP and SWCNT/CuPcTTMP hybrids to NH3 exhibit excellent reversibility, reproducibility and selectivity. The advantages of combining CuPc derivatives with SWCNT in enhancing the gas sensing properties of the final product were presented, and an innovative method for the application of SWCNT/CuPc hybrids in the gas sensing field was provided.