Selective detection of ammonia by rGO decorated nanostructured ZnO for poultry and farm field applications

Abstract

Nanostructured Zinc Oxide (ZnO) was deposited by the spray pyrolysis technique. The ZnO was further functionalized by reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO) using the doctor blade method. The X-ray Diffraction (XRD) studies of bare and rGO functionalized ZnO showed multiple peaks and polycrystalline in nature. The morphological studies confirmed rGO distribution over the ZnO surface. The ammonia sensing studies of the bare and functionalized ZnO were analyzed by varying the temperature from room temperature (RT) to 450 °C. The rGO/ZnO exhibited increased sensitivity towards ammonia at a lower temperature (300 °C) compared with bare ZnO. The range of detection was found to be 0.5 ppm to 100 ppm. The selectivity studies towards 20 ppm ammonia in a mixed gas environment were also investigated.