Poly(N-methyl pyrrole) decorated rGO nanocomposite: A novel ultrasensitive and selective carbon monoxide sensor

Abstract

An ultrasensitive and selective carbon monoxide (CO) sensor based on poly(N-methyl pyrrole)/reduced graphene oxide (P(NMP)/rGO) nanocomposites working at room temperature (RT) has been presented. A unique three-step approach has been introduced to ensure the preparation of a highly conductive and water-soluble rGO. P(NMP)/rGO nanocomposite was materialized through the inexpensive and straightforward self-assembled micellar soft-template polymerization route in the presence of rGO. The P(NMP)/rGO based sensor demonstrates outstanding response upon exposure to a broad concentration of CO ranging from 10 ppm to 275 ppm. The experimental results revealed that incorporation of rGO with P(NMP) nanosphere improved the sensor response (231.5 % to 75 ppm), leading to fast response and recovery characteristics (40 s / 36 s) and excellent selectivity at RT. The lowest detection limit of P(NMP)/rGO nanocomposite-based sensor for CO is calculated to be 1.042 ppm. Based on the outcomes of this investigation, it is believed that the proposed sensor, with its inexpensive and simple construction method, along with its remarkable performance towards CO, might be a wonderful option for real-time detection of CO.