Multifunctional porous polyaniline/phosphorus-nitrogen co-doped graphene nanocomposite for efficient room temperature ammonia sensing and high-performance supercapacitor applications.

[Display omitted] • PNGN was synthesized by hydrothermal approach. • PANI/PNGN 15% composite synthesized by in-situ polymerization method. • The sensor has shown sensing response ∼810 %, detection limit of 0.012 ppm. • Response time and recovery time are 21 s and 56 s. • PANI/PNGN 15% exhibits a remarkable specific capacitance of 750.41 F g−1 at 5 Ag−1. In the pursuit of developing advanced materials with multifunctional capabilities, the integration of polymers and graphene-based materials has garnered significant attention. In the quest for the synergy between polyaniline (PANI) and phosphorus, nitrogen dual co-doped graphene (PNGN) has emerged as a promising avenue for multifunctional applications in supercapacitors and gas sensing devices. The PANI/PNGN 15 % nanocomposites were synthesized by a combination of hydrothermal processing and in-situ polymerization techniques. The synthesized nanocomposites were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies. The PANI/PNGN 15 % nanocomposite sensor has shown sensing response values of ∼810 %, the response time of 21 s, recovery time of 56 s, and a detection limit of 0.082 ppm. The PANI/PNGN 15 % nanocomposite achieved a remarkable specific capacitance of 750.41 F g−1 at a current density of 5 A g−1. Moreover, the symmetrical supercapacitor exhibits remarkable rate capability, achieving (∼82.14 % at 5 Ag−1), while also maintaining excellent cycling stability. The synergistic effects of PANI and PNGN contribute to the development of high-performance devices, paving the way for advancements in the fields of supercapacitors and gas sensing technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]