Toward a Highly Functional Hybrid ZnO Nanofiber–rGO Gas Sensor

Abstract

Herein, a hybrid ZnO nanofiber/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) gas sensor is fabricated to detect acetone gas. Metal oxides, including ZnO, SnO2, and TiO2, have been widely used as gas sensors. This article investigates the implications of incorporating rGO into the network of ZnO nanofibers for the sensing characteristics of ZnO. Electrospinning, followed by a calcination treatment at 600 °C, is used to synthesize ZnO nanofibers. The synthesis is carried out with different ratios of zinc acetate (ZnAc) and GO. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is used to study the morphology of the nanofibers before and after calcination. Results show that the diameter of nanofibers before and after calcination is in the range of 400–650 and 190–480 nm, respectively. Results also confirm that rGO sheets are very well intermingled with ZnO nanofibers. It appear that the higher the weight fraction of ZnAc, the higher sensitivity to acetone can be attained. The addition of graphene to the ZnO‐based sensor is associated with an increase in the sensitivity of the fabricated sensor from 2.3 to 4 and a significant decrease in the operating temperature of the sensor from 400 to 200 °C.