Preparation of zinc oxide nanoparticle–reduced graphene oxide–gold nanoparticle hybrids for detection of NO2

Abstract

In this paper, in pursuit of developing high-performance graphene-based gas sensors, a novel NO₂ gas sensor has been successfully fabricated using ZnO nanoparticles and Au nanoparticles modified reduced graphene oxide (ZnO–rGO–Au) ternary hybrids as sensing materials. The ZnO–rGO–Au hybrids were prepared by deposition of Au nanoparticles on the surface of ZnO–rGO hybrids by the wet chemical method. The combined characterizations of X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, as well as N₂ sorption isotherm indicate the successful preparation of ZnO–rGO–Au hybrids. Most importantly, ZnO–rGO–Au hybrids exhibit good sensing performances for detection of NO₂ at relatively low operating temperature (80 °C), such as high response, fast response and recovery rate, and good selectivity. Furthermore, the excellent sensing performances of sensor based on ZnO–rGO–Au hybrids also render it suitable for development of high performance gas sensors.