High-Sensitivity, Low Detection Limit, and Fast Ammonia Detection of Ag-NiFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> Nanocomposite and DFT Study

Ammonia (NH<sub>3</sub>) is one of the characteristic gases used to detect food spoilage. In this study, the 10 wt% Ag-NiFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> nanocomposite was synthesized via the hydrothermal method. Characterization results from SEM, XRD, and XPS analyzed...

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Main Authors: Xianfeng Hao, Yuehang Sun, Zongwei Liu, Gongao Jiao, Dongzhi Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Nanomaterials
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/14/1088
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author Xianfeng Hao
Yuehang Sun
Zongwei Liu
Gongao Jiao
Dongzhi Zhang
author_facet Xianfeng Hao
Yuehang Sun
Zongwei Liu
Gongao Jiao
Dongzhi Zhang
author_sort Xianfeng Hao
collection DOAJ
description Ammonia (NH<sub>3</sub>) is one of the characteristic gases used to detect food spoilage. In this study, the 10 wt% Ag-NiFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> nanocomposite was synthesized via the hydrothermal method. Characterization results from SEM, XRD, and XPS analyzed the microstructure, elemental composition, and crystal lattice features of the composite, confirming its successful fabrication. Under the optimal working temperature of 280 °C, the composite exhibited excellent gas-sensing properties towards NH<sub>3</sub>. The 10 wt% Ag-NiFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> sensor demonstrates rapid response and recovery, as well as high sensitivity, towards 30 ppm NH<sub>3</sub>, with response and recovery times of merely 3 s and 9 s, respectively, and a response value of 4.59. The detection limit is as low as 0.1 ppm, meeting the standards for food safety detection. Additionally, the sensor exhibits good short-term repeatability and long-term stability. Additionally, density functional theory (DFT) simulations were conducted to investigate the gas-sensing advantages of the Ag-NiFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> composite by analyzing the electron density and density of states, thereby providing theoretical guidance for experimental testing. This study facilitates the rapid detection of food spoilage and promotes the development of portable food safety detection devices.
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spelling doaj-art-e98ee00dfdf443e3af9a003f55e5bbf42025-08-20T02:47:10ZengMDPI AGNanomaterials2079-49912025-07-011514108810.3390/nano15141088High-Sensitivity, Low Detection Limit, and Fast Ammonia Detection of Ag-NiFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> Nanocomposite and DFT StudyXianfeng Hao0Yuehang Sun1Zongwei Liu2Gongao Jiao3Dongzhi Zhang4College of Control Science and Engineering, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, ChinaCollege of Control Science and Engineering, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, ChinaCollege of Control Science and Engineering, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, ChinaCollege of Control Science and Engineering, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, ChinaCollege of Control Science and Engineering, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, ChinaAmmonia (NH<sub>3</sub>) is one of the characteristic gases used to detect food spoilage. In this study, the 10 wt% Ag-NiFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> nanocomposite was synthesized via the hydrothermal method. Characterization results from SEM, XRD, and XPS analyzed the microstructure, elemental composition, and crystal lattice features of the composite, confirming its successful fabrication. Under the optimal working temperature of 280 °C, the composite exhibited excellent gas-sensing properties towards NH<sub>3</sub>. The 10 wt% Ag-NiFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> sensor demonstrates rapid response and recovery, as well as high sensitivity, towards 30 ppm NH<sub>3</sub>, with response and recovery times of merely 3 s and 9 s, respectively, and a response value of 4.59. The detection limit is as low as 0.1 ppm, meeting the standards for food safety detection. Additionally, the sensor exhibits good short-term repeatability and long-term stability. Additionally, density functional theory (DFT) simulations were conducted to investigate the gas-sensing advantages of the Ag-NiFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> composite by analyzing the electron density and density of states, thereby providing theoretical guidance for experimental testing. This study facilitates the rapid detection of food spoilage and promotes the development of portable food safety detection devices.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/14/1088Ag-NiFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>NH<sub>3</sub> sensorlow detection limitDFTsimulations
spellingShingle Xianfeng Hao
Yuehang Sun
Zongwei Liu
Gongao Jiao
Dongzhi Zhang
High-Sensitivity, Low Detection Limit, and Fast Ammonia Detection of Ag-NiFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> Nanocomposite and DFT Study
Nanomaterials
Ag-NiFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>
NH<sub>3</sub> sensor
low detection limit
DFT
simulations
title High-Sensitivity, Low Detection Limit, and Fast Ammonia Detection of Ag-NiFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> Nanocomposite and DFT Study
title_full High-Sensitivity, Low Detection Limit, and Fast Ammonia Detection of Ag-NiFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> Nanocomposite and DFT Study
title_fullStr High-Sensitivity, Low Detection Limit, and Fast Ammonia Detection of Ag-NiFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> Nanocomposite and DFT Study
title_full_unstemmed High-Sensitivity, Low Detection Limit, and Fast Ammonia Detection of Ag-NiFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> Nanocomposite and DFT Study
title_short High-Sensitivity, Low Detection Limit, and Fast Ammonia Detection of Ag-NiFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub> Nanocomposite and DFT Study
title_sort high sensitivity low detection limit and fast ammonia detection of ag nife sub 2 sub o sub 4 sub nanocomposite and dft study
topic Ag-NiFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>
NH<sub>3</sub> sensor
low detection limit
DFT
simulations
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/14/1088
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