The unloaded ZnO and ZnO NPs loaded with Au (1.00 mol%) were produced by a single-step FSP technique. The particle analyses using XRD, HR-TEM, MCC-950 and BET indicated that ZnO NPs were highly crystalline with a typical hexagonal structure of ZnO, and ultrafine Au NPs with 1 to 2 nm in diameter were formed around ZnO NPs. Composite P3HT:1.00 mol% Au/ZnO NPs films with different compositions were prepared by solution mixing and casting. Film characterizations by XRD and FE-SEM confirmed the presence of P3HT/ZnO phases and HDAC inhibition porous nanoparticle structures in the composite

thick film. The gas sensing results showed that the inclusion of 1.00 mol% Au/ZnO NPs at a low content provided significant NH3 sensing enhancement. In particular, the P3HT:1.00 mol% Au/ZnO NPs composite film with the ratio of 4:1 exhibited the best NH3 sensing performances with a high sensor response of approximately 32 and short response time within a minute to 1,000 ppm of NH3 at a room temperature.

In addition, the optimal composite film exhibited higher NH3 selectivity against C2H5OH, CO, H2S, NO2, and H2O than other composites as well as P3HT and 1.00 mol% Au/ZnO NPs. The observed composite gas sensing behaviors were explained based on the increased specific surface area by porous blended nanoparticle structure and catalytic effect of Au/ZnO NPs. From overall results, the P3HT:1.00 mol% Au/ZnO NPs composite sensor is a highly promising candidate for the efficient detection of NH3 at room temperature. C188-9 ic50 Acknowledgements The authors gratefully

acknowledge the financial support from the Thailand Research Fund (TRF), the Office of the Higher Education Commission and Maejo University, Thailand (MRG5580067); Program in Materials Science, Faculty of Science, Maejo University, Thailand; the National Research Council of Thailand; the National Research University under the Office of Higher Education Commission; Materials Science Research Urocanase Center, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Thailand; and National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC), Pathumthani, Thailand. References 1. Narasimhan LR, Goodman W, Kumar C, Patel N: Correlation of breath ammonia with blood urea nitrogen and creatinine during hemodialysis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2001, 98:4617–4621.CrossRef 2. de la Hoz RE, Schueter DP, Rom WN: Chronic lung disease secondary to ammonia inhalation injury: a report on three cases. Am J Ind Med 1996, 29:209–214.CrossRef 3. Leung CM, Foo CL: Mass ammonia inhalation burns-experience in the management of patients. Ann Acad Med Singapore 1992, 21:624–629. 4. Michaels RA: Emergency planning and acute toxic potency of inhaled ammonia. Environ Health Perspect 1999, 107:617–627.CrossRef 5. Close LG, Catlin FI, Cohn AM: Acute and chronic effects of ammonia burns on the respiratory track. Arch Otolaryngol 1980, 106:151–158.CrossRef 6.