Hierarchical three-dimensional MoS2/GO hybrid nanostructures for triethylamine-sensing applications with high sensitivity and selectivity

Abstract

MoS2/GO nanocomposites with a three-dimensional (3D) microstructure for triethylamine (TEA) detection at low temperature are significant in scientific and practical aspects. This paper reports a facile hydrothermal process to synthesize MoS2/GO with different mass ratios of graphene oxide (GO) to MoS2. The techniques of XRD, Raman, XPS, SEM, HRTEM, N2 adsorption-desorption and FT-IR were used to characterize the samples. The results show that MoS2/GO takes a novel 3D heterostructure consisting of layered GO and MoS2 nanosheets. The MoS2/GO sensors are highly sensitive to TEA vapors, with a low detection concentration of 1 ppm and a high stability. The typical MoS2/GO-3% sensor exhibits a response of 2.8 and a response time of 7 s upon exposure to 1 ppm TEA, and a response of more than 75 to 50 ppm TEA at 260 °C. It shows a high selectivity to detect TEA when compared with other VOCs or gases. The enhanced TEA-sensing performance is benefited from the positive synergistic effect of GO and MoS2, the high specific surface area and improved electron conductivity. This work provides an efficient platform to design active materials to detect toxic and harmful gases on basis of 3D MoS2/GO nanocomposites.