Enhancement in the optical and carbon dioxide gas sensing properties of polythiophene by dispersion of manganese dioxide nanoparticles

The present research article demonstrates the dispersion of manganese dioxide (MnO₂) nanoparticles in polythiophene (PTh) to enhance the optical and gas sensing properties of PTh/MnO₂ nanocomposites. The structural aspects of the as-synthesized nanocomposites were demonstrated by the techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). Furthermore, the optical characterization of the resulting composite was investigated using UV–Vis spectroscopy. UV–Vis analyses of obtained nanocomposite revealed a forbidden band of ∼ 3.7 eV. The prepared nanocomposites were exposed to CO₂ gas to investigate the composites suitability for gas sensing application, which prove to be promising materials. The prominent exploit of the present work is that 0.8 Wt. % MnO₂ loaded PTh composite material exhibits significant sensing response at low operating temperature including good stability and fast response and recovery time. The core objective of this work is the discussion of the enhancement in stability, response and recovery time as a consequence of the interaction between the CO₂ gas and the as-synthesized nanocomposites.