Recent Trends and Developments in Graphene/Conducting Polymer Nanocomposites Chemiresistive Sensors

Abstract

The use of graphene and its derivatives with excellent characteristics such as good electrical and mechanical properties and large specific surface area has gained the attention of researchers. Recently, novel nanocomposite materials based on graphene and conducting polymers including polyaniline (PANi), polypyrrole (PPy), poly (3,4 ethyldioxythiophene) (PEDOT), polythiophene (PTh), and their derivatives have been widely used as active materials in gas sensing due to their unique electrical conductivity, redox property, and good operation at room temperature. Mixing these two materials exhibited better sensing performance compared to pure graphene and conductive polymers. This may be attributed to the large specific surface area of the nanocomposites, and also the synergistic effect between graphene and conducting polymers. A variety of graphene and conducting polymer nanocomposite preparation methods such as in situ polymerization, electropolymerization, solution mixing, self-assembly approach, etc. have been reported and utilization of these nanocomposites as sensing materials has been proven effective in improving the performance of gas sensors. Review of the recent research efforts and developments in the fabrication and application of graphene and conducting polymer nanocomposites for gas sensing is the aim of this review paper.

Recent Trends and Developments in Conducting Polymer Nanocomposites for Multifunctional Applications

“…), poly-pyrrole (PPy), poly (3,4 ethyl-dioxythiophene) (P.E.D.O.T. ), poly-thiophene (PTh), as well as their compound-derivatives have notably become extensively utilized as active materials throughout gas-sensing applications as enumerated by the Zamiri et al [166] Whenever these two materials have been blended, they excelled, pure graphene as well as conducting polymerics, in terms of sensors-based characteristics. This could be attributable to the nanocomposites' high specific surface area, and indeed the combined synergic effects of graphene and conductive polymerics.…”

“…A kind of graphene, as well as conductive polymeric nano-composites processing techniques, including in situ polymerization, electro-polymerization, solution-blending, selfassemblage, and many others, have been revealed, and utilisation of such nanocomposites as sensing materials has also been shown to enhance the effectiveness of gas-sensing [ 166 ].…”

“…Findings unveiled that the reduced graphene oxide–P.A.N.I. blends packed on a flexible-based poly-ethylene-terephthalates thin film demonstrated the maximum response of 344.12 to 100 ppm ammonia, the gas sensor activity of P.E.D.O.T./reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites processed through in situ-polymerization method unveiled outstanding sensing effectiveness to nitrogen-dioxide, and reduced graphene oxide/PPy nanocomposite demonstrated the maximum sensitivity of 102 percent under 50 ppm as displayed in Figure 16 [ 166 ].…”

“… Sensitivity response of reduced graphene-oxide–PANI hybridized thin films towards various gases at 100 ppm. Reproduced with permission from [ 166 ]. …”

Perovskite@Graphene Nanohybrids for Breath Analysis: A Proof-of-Concept

“…However, further modifications or functionalizations are usually needed to enhance the sensing properties of graphene-based devices. The most common strategies are graphene decoration with metal or metal oxide nanoparticles [36], plasma functionalization to promote the creation of structural defects [37], and the creation of nanocomposites with another type of material such as dichalcogenides [38] or polymers [39]. With those approaches, it is possible to some extent to improve sensing parameters such as sensitivity and response/recovery times.…”