Graphene-like layers as promising chemiresistive sensing material for detection of alcohols at low concentration

Abstract

In the manifold of materials for Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) sensing, graphene related materials (GRMs) gain special attention thanks to their versatility and overall chemico-physical tunability as a function of specific applications. In this work, the sensing performances of graphene-like (GL) layers, a new material belonging to the GRM family, are tested against ethanol and n-butanol. Two typologies of GL samples were produced by employing two different approaches and tested in view of their application as VOC sensors. The experiments were performed under atmospheric pressure, in dry air, and at room temperature and demonstrated that the sensing capabilities are related to the film surface features. The results indicated that GL films are promising candidates for the detection of low concentrations of VOCs at room temperature. The present investigation thus paves the way for VOC sensing optimization using cost-effective and easily scalable materials.

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“…GL layers exhibited a response toward ethanol, expressed as normalized relative variation of conductance, around 3% and toward n-butanol around 0.5% (Fig. 4) [27]. The comparison of the experimental results with those reported by literature showed that GL films are promising candidate for the detection of low concentration of ethanol at room temperature [27].…”

“…4) [27]. The comparison of the experimental results with those reported by literature showed that GL films are promising candidate for the detection of low concentration of ethanol at room temperature [27].…”

“…The good conductivity combined with the easy tunable GL morphologic arrangement as films was found to be relevant for sensoristic applications in alcohol detection [27] in the wake of the emerging request of low-cost, eco-compatible VOCs sensors for the air quality monitoring working at room temperature [29]. The sensing performances of GL layers-based prototypal chemiresistive devices against alcohols (ethanol and n-butanol) detection were evaluated at atmospheric pressure, room temperature and dried atmosphere, in the concentration range 0-100 ppm.…”

“…GL layers exhibit a peculiar self-assembling behavior when dried on surfaces, arranging in different morphologies (ranging from atomically flat to patterned surface) as a consequence of the suspension pH, surface roughness and GL surface chemistry [25][26][27]. I-V measurements showed linear responses implying an Ohmic behavior of GL films.…”

“…Comparison between the response of the chemiresistive device based on GL ox (black curve) and GL films (red curve) toward ethanol (right panel) and n-butanol (left panel). Adapted from [27].…”