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Polypyrrole (PPy)–Zn₂SnO₄ nanocomposites with different weight percentages (0–20%) of Zn₂SnO₄ were successfully prepared by chemical oxidative polymerization. The prepared nanocomposites were deposited on epoxy glass substrate using a spin coating technique and have been characterized using various techniques such as X-ray diffractometer, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer. The physicochemical characterization confirmed well-formed dodecylbenzene (DBSA)-doped PPy–Zn₂SnO₄ nanocomposites with granular morphology and high porosity. Among various nanocompositions, DBSA-doped PPy–Zn₂SnO₄ (10 wt.%) nanocomposite was found to be highly sensitive towards NH₃ vapor at room temperature i.e. with a chemiresistive response of 5.44% at 27 ppm with a reasonably fast recovery time of 76 s. Additionally, it shows a linear response and appropriate recovery time at all concentrations of NH₃ vapor. The DBSA-doped PPy–Zn₂SnO₄ nanocomposite response is four times better than pure PPy toward NH₃ vapor at room temperature. Therefore, it is expected that such material with excellent gas sensing properties at room temperature can be used for high-performance NH₃ sensors.

Excellent properties of gallium nitride (GaN) make it an ideal material for realizing gas sensors, especially for ammonia (NH${}_3)$ detection. Although many researchers have pursued to describe the characteristics of GaN-based NH₃ gas sensors by different approaches, few models have been reported. In this paper, with the consideration of the exponential distribution of interfacial states, a model for ammonia concentration detection of GaN gas sensors has been presented. The Poisson equation is applied to model the effect of defect states on the potential. By taking advantage of the current-voltage characteristics, the value of Schottky barrier height can be obtained. The concentration of the adsorbed NH₃ gas is derived by exploiting the surface potential. It indicates that densities of acceptor interfacial trap states are in the order of 10${}^{11}\sim 10^{12}$cm${}^{-2}$eV${}^{-1}$. The current increases with the NH₃ concentration at the same applied voltage. In addition, detailed investigations of physical mechanisms and the analysis of the sensitivity have been depicted. It shows that the sensitivity followed an approximately exponential dependence on NH₃ density. Results compared well with experimental data that verify the proposed model and simulation method.

Recent progress in the study of motions and reactions of single adsorbed molecules on metal surfaces induced by inelastic tunneling electrons with a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) is given an overview, with the focus on our current theoretical understanding of the elementary processes behind these phenomena. The selected topics include rotation and dissociation of O₂ on Pt(111), rotation of a C₂H(D)₂ on Cu(100), lateral hopping of CO on Pd(110), lateral translation and desorption of NH₃ on Cu(100), and controlled manipulation of chemical transformation as well as bimolecular reaction of coadsorbed species on metal surfaces. Brief descriptions are presented of how an adsorbate to overcome the potential barrier for motion and reaction by incoherent stepwise and coherent single multistep climbing of the vibrational ladders in the potential well along the reaction coordinate, and indirect excitation of the reaction coordinate mode via anharmonic coupling to the vibrational mode excited by tunneling current. Elementary processes of the mode-selective control of different motions are also discussed in conjunction with a recent experimental result of lateral hopping and desorption of a single NH₃ molecule on Cu(100). Although still at a premature stage, these novel phenomena open a new world of "nano-surface-science," in which the manipulation and reaction of single adsorbates, and synthesis of a new molecular system are realized by a selective excitation of the relevant vibrational mode by tunneling electrons with an STM.

A novel and uncomplicated method for preparing nanocrystalline zinc oxide by precipitation in a basic aqueous solution with the addition of an oxidation agent and in the presence of flowing gas is presented. Firstly, the value of pH of the starting solution containing the zinc salts is adjusted to a value of 5–5.5. Then, zinc oxide is precipitated by adding NH₄OH and bubbling flowing air. Finally, the precipitated materials are washed with a basic solution (0.01 M NaOH). The X-ray diffraction patterns show nanocrystalline single-phase ZnO with a grain size of 12–14 nm (Scherrer method). No further thermal treatment of the prepared material is required. The surface of the prepared material can be successfully modified. This new route is reproducible and can be used on industrial level.

This study describes the application of porphyrin-embedded porous organosilicate materials to the adsorption of ammonia gas. Organosilicate scaffolds were synthesized through a surfactant-templating process combined with a phase separation technique. The structure offers a macro-textured scaffold to facilitate flow through the sorbent material and provide enhanced access to the available surface area provided by a combination of micro- and mesopores distributed over a range of sizes. The materials were grafted post-synthesis to provide sites for covalent immobilization of porphyrins. These porphyrins were utilized for incorporation of metal sites into the organosilicate materials. The removal of ammonia was evaluated for a number of materials incorporating copper metalloporphyrins of varied structure at varied loading levels. Results have been compared to removal of ammonia by a carbon material. Copper deuteroporphyrin IX bis-ethylene glycol provided the strongest interactions with ammonia. High loading levels of this porphyrin within the sorbent structure showed increasing evidence of stacking and did not improve the performance of the material.

In the present work, the optical response of CoPcF₁₆ films upon exposure to ammonia vapor in the concentration range 50 to 1000 ppm was measured by total internal reflection ellipsometry. It was demonstrated that the sorption of NH₃ molecules causes substantial shift of the Δ(λ) spectrum which is determined by the increase in film thickness and change of its optical parameters. It was found that the CoPcF₁₆ films deposited at substrate temperature of 220 °C are characterized by larger grains and more developed surface demonstrating higher optical response than films deposited at substrate temperature of 60 °C. In order to gain an insight into the sorption mechanism at molecular level, we have studied the interaction of ammonia vapor with hexadecafluorinated cobalt phthalocyanine using infrared spectroscopy. It was shown that the detection of ammonia was found to be governed primarily by coordination to the metal center.

In the present work, we determined the electrical properties of octachlorinated metallophthalocyanines with Co(II) and Cu(II) ions as metal centers. We engaged them in heterojunctions, with lutetium bisphthalocyanine as a partner. Surprisingly, cobalt and copper complexes show opposite behaviors, the first being an $n$-type material whereas the latter is a $p$-type material, as deduced from the response of the heterojunctions towards ammonia; showing the unusual key role played by the metal center. While the LuPc${}_{\mathrm{\text{2}}}$/Cu(Cl${}_{\mathrm{\text{8}}}$Pc) complex exhibits a negative response to ammonia, the LuPc${}_{\mathrm{\text{2}}}$/Co(Cl${}_{\mathrm{\text{8}}}$Pc) complex exhibits a positive response to ammonia, with a sensitivity of 1.47% ppm${}^{\mathrm{\text{-1}}}$ at concentrations lower than 10 ppm and a limit of detection of 250 ppb. All the devices operate at room temperature and in real atmosphere.

Isoindole-diimine, which can be obtained by bubbling ammonia gas into a solution of phthalonitrile derivatives in the presence of Na${}^{+}$ ion, is a final and best precursor for phthalocyanine synthesis. In this study, isoindole-diimine and various derivatives have been prepared without bubbling ammonia gas using in situ generated ammonia that was produced from formamide and a strong alkali such as NaOH and NaNH₂. A longer reaction time, higher temperature, and larger amount of formamide were required for phthalonitrile derivatives with electron-donating groups, but this method is recommendable in that an NH₃ gas cylinder and concomitant gas regulator, which are not inexpensive, are not required. Attempts were made to interpret the IR and absorption spectra of the resultant diimines. The signals due to imino proton or N-H of diimino compounds were experimentally found to appear at around 8.2$\sim$9.5 ppm in ¹H-NMR and ca. 3500–3000 cm${}^{-1}$ in IR spectra.

Some people think that carbon and sustainable development are not compatible. This textbook shows that carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the air and bio-carbon from biomass are our best allies in the energy transition, towards greater sustainability. We pose the problem of the decarbonation (or decarbonization) of our economy by looking at ways to reduce our dependence on fossil carbon (coal, petroleum, natural gas, bitumen, carbonaceous shales, lignite, peat). The urgent goal is to curb the exponential increase in the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and hydrosphere (Figures 1.1 and 1.2) that is directly related to our consumption of fossil carbon for our energy and materials The goal of the Paris agreement (United Nations COP 21, Dec. 12, 2015) of limiting the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees (compared to the pre-industrial era, before 1800) is becoming increasingly unattainable (Intergovermental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), report of Aug. 6, 2021). On Aug. 9, 2021 Boris Johnson, prime minister of the United Kingdom, declared that coal needs to be consigned to history to limit global warming. CO₂ has an important social cost…

With the gas ionization experiments (Section 1.7) we know that atoms and molecules are made of nuclei and electrons that revolve around them. In this chapter we give representations of these microscopic objects and show how certain atoms or molecular fragments form bonds between them. From the description of the hydrogen atom, the lightest atom in Nature since it contains only one proton and one electron, we will develop a simple model for the bonds between atoms in molecules stable at 25°C. Without making complicated calculations we will be able to predict which bonds between atoms are possible a priori and which structures the molecules containing them have. Atoms are the parts of a Lego® set that can be assembled to make a large number of constructions, but not just any construction (three-dimensional objects with predefined geometries). In Chapter 7, we will develop a slightly more advanced model of the chemical bond. We will examine why some bonds are weaker than others, i.e. which bonds are more or less easily broken by heating…