A nanocomposite consisting of ZnO decorated graphene oxide nanoribbons for resistive sensing of NO2 gas at room temperature

Abstract

AbstractA composite prepared from zinc oxide and graphene oxide nanoribbons (ZnO/GONR) is demonstrated to enable improved room temperature (RT) detection of nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Low-cost hydrothermal synthesis is used to construct the composite. The properties of the resistive sensor, including the sensitivity, response and recovery times, repeatability and selectivity, were investigated in the NO2 concentration range from 1 to 50\xa0ppm at RT. The sensor, typically operated at a voltage of 5\xa0V, exhibits a low detection limit of 1\xa0ppm, a fast response–recovery time, and excellent repeatability which outperforms that of pure ZnO sensors. The sensing mechanism is explained in terms of a redox reaction between NO2 and oxygen anions on the surface of the ZnO/GONR composite.\n Graphical abstractSchematic representation of the NO2 sensing mechanisms on the surface of the ZnO/GONR composite and overall improved NO2 gas-sensing performance.