A new type low-cost, flexible and wearable tertiary nanocomposite sensor for room temperature hydrogen gas sensing

This paper reports on reduced graphene oxide (rGO), tin oxide (SnO₂) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) tertiary nanocomposite thick film based flexible gas sensor. The nanocomposite of 0.90(PVDF) - 0.10[x(SnO₂) - (1 - x)rGO] with different weight percentages (x = 0, 0.15, 0.30, 0.45, 0.6, 0.75, 0.90 and 1) have been prepared by the hot press method. Chromium (Cr) has been deposited on the surface by using E-beam evaporation system, which is used as electrode of the device. Crystal structure, morphology, and electrical characteristics of the device have been explored for the technological application. A correlation between crystallinity, morphology, and electrical properties with these thick films has also been established. The device has been tested at different hydrogen (H₂) gas concentration as well as at different response times. A superior response of 0.90(PVDF) - 0.10[0.75(SnO₂) - 0.25 rGO] nanocomposite thick film has been observed. Hence, this composition is considered as optimized tertiary nanocomposite for the hydrogen gas sensor application. The sensor response of 49.2 and 71.4% with response time 34 sec and 52 sec for 100 PPM and 1000 PPM H₂ gas concentration respectively have been obtained. First time a new kind of low cost and flexible polymer based nanocomposite thick film gas sensor has been explored.