Improving the sensitive property of graphene-based gas sensor by illumination and heating

Abstract

Purpose

Graphene is a two-dimensional material. Its use has many advantages in gas sensing, but its long desorption process is problematic. The aim of this paper is to design a graphene-based gas sensor, study the response to NO₂ gas concentrations and find ways to accelerate the desorption process.

Design/methodology/approach

In one group, the sensor was placed in air to measure its initial resistance. Then, it was exposed to the NO₂ gas at a certain concentration. Finally, the sensor was exposed to light immediately after NO₂ gas exposure was ended. In another group, the sensor was heated using a heating plate at a stable temperature, before taking the measurements. Then the adsorption and desorption experiments were carried on.

Findings

Illumination and heating at a suitable temperature can expedite desorption of NO₂ molecules on graphene.

Originality/value

In the paper, two main methods are introduced to accelerate the desorption process when the NO₂ gas is absorbed on graphene. Through a series of experiments and analysis, the authors found that the recovery time could be reduced observably and the recovery performance of the graphene-based NO₂ sensor could be improved effectively.

Citation

Li, H., Gao, Z., Lin, W., He, W., Li, J. and Yang, Y. (2017), "Improving the sensitive property of graphene-based gas sensor by illumination and heating", Sensor Review, Vol. 37 No. 2, pp. 142-146. https://doi.org/10.1108/SR-09-2016-0168