Graphene derivative coated QCM-based gas sensor for volatile organic compound (VOC) detection at room temperature

Abstract

<span>Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) affect our daily life through their emission from very common sources such as plants, building materials, paints, pesticides, and fossil fuel burning. The detection of VOCs at room temperature is a prime requirement. The graphene-based gas sensor has the potential to detect these VOC gases due to its attractive features such as high mobility and large surface area. In this work, a graphene-derivative is prepared as a sensing material in order to detect acetone. The thin film of graphene-derivative is prepared by a drop-cast method on a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensor followed by drying in the room environment conditions. The prepared graphene-derivative and thin films are characterized structurally and morphologically by standard microscopic techniques such as FESEM, EDX, and Raman spectroscopy. The electrical parameters such as mobility and resistivity are measured using Hall-effect measurements at room temperature. The response and recovery time of the graphene-derivative based 10 MHz QCM sensor are found to be 23 s and 20 s, respectively. This highly sensitive graphene-based gas sensor with good reversibility can be employed for human health and environment safety applications. </span>

Sensors for Volatile Organic Compounds

“…Optimization of defect density is an effective way of balancing the sensitivity and recovery rate of a rGO-based gas senor. Another highly promising way of improving the sensitivity and selectivity of graphene-based chemical sensors is via functionalization and hybridization. ,,, These methods offer enormous numbers of graphene-based sensing material combinations with tuned chemical reactivity, such as graphene containing metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, polymers, and small organic molecules. − Besides the straightforward use of graphene in electrical sensors, its properties are useful for other VOC sensing devices including colorimetric, optical fiber, and QCM sensors. , In these examples, graphene (or its derivatives) succeeded because of its high surface area and VOC absorption capabilities, not its electrical conductivity. Notably, Cao et al reported the use of a polydiacetylene (PDA)–graphene hybrid for colorimetric VOC sensing.…”

“…265−268 Besides the straightforward use of graphene in electrical sensors, its properties are useful for other VOC sensing devices including colorimetric, 269 optical fiber, 141 and QCM sensors. 270,271 In these examples, graphene (or its derivatives) succeeded because of its high surface area and VOC absorption capabilities, not its electrical conductivity. Notably, Cao et al 269 reported the use of a polydiacetylene (PDA)−graphene hybrid for colorimetric VOC sensing.…”

Carbon Nanostructure Embedded Novel Sensor Implementation for Detection of Aromatic Volatile Organic Compounds: An Organized Review

“…The QCM gas sensors' quick reaction and recovery periods of 20−30 s have been proven using commercially available rGO thin sensing films. 148 It is claimed that to produce nanostructured detectors GO nanodomains of p-type were carefully inserted into an n-type 3D ZnO nanoarchitecture. These ultraporous nanoheterojunction networks' features were investigated using physical and chemical approaches, demonstrating how GO affects the networks' ability to sense chemicals and light.…”

Copper Oxide/Functionalized Graphene Hybrid Nanostructures for Room Temperature Gas Sensing Applications

“…Among them, the QCM-based gas sensor is very effective owing to its beneficial features including accuracy, high sensitivity, and fast response. Also, QCM can be easily integrated with other electronic components [15,16].…”