Graphene-loaded tin oxide nanofibers: optimization and sensing performance

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Tin dioxide (SnO2) nanofibers (NFs) are widely used in gas sensors.
• Improving the sensitivity and selectivity of SnO2-based gas sensors is crucial for practical applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the gas sensing properties of graphene nanosheet (NS)-loaded SnO2 NFs.
• To determine the optimal graphene content for enhanced gas sensing performance.
• To elucidate the sensing mechanism behind the improved performance.

Main Methods:

• Facile electrospinning process for synthesizing graphene NS-loaded SnO2 NFs.
• Characterization of gas sensing performance towards benzene (C6H6), toluene (C7H8), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S).
• Analysis of sensing mechanism involving chemical sensitization and charge transfer.

Main Results:

• Graphene NS loading significantly enhanced the gas sensing performance of SnO2 NFs.
• The optimal graphene NS content for improved sensing was found to be 0.5 wt%.
• A sensing mechanism based on graphene's chemical sensitization and heterointerface charge transfer was proposed.

Conclusions:

• Graphene NS-loaded SnO2 NFs represent a promising material system for hazardous gas detection.
• The developed material exhibits superior gas sensing characteristics.
• This research contributes to the development of advanced gas sensor technologies.