Vertical heterostructure of graphite-MoS₂ for gas sensing

2D materials, given their form-factor, high surface-to-volume ratio, and chemical functionality have immense use in sensor design. Engineering 2D heterostructures can result in robust combinations of desirable properties but sensor design methodologies require careful considerations about material properties and orientation to maximize sensor response. This study introduces a sensor approach that combines the excellent electrical transport and transduction properties of graphite film with chemical reactivity derived from the edge sites of semiconducting molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) through a two-step chemical vapour deposition method. The resulting vertical heterostructure shows potential for high-performance hybrid chemiresistors for gas sensing. This architecture offers active sensing edge sites across the MoS₂ flakes. We detail the growth of vertically oriented MoS₂ over a nanoscale graphite film (NGF) cross-section, enhancing the adsorption of analytes such as NO₂, NH₃, and water vapor. Raman spectroscopy, density functional theory calculations and scanning probe methods elucidate the influence of chemical doping by distinguishing the role of MoS₂ edge sites relative to the basal plane. High-resolution imaging techniques confirm the controlled growth of highly crystalline hybrid structures. The MoS₂/NGF hybrid structure exhibits exceptional chemiresistive responses at both room and elevated temperatures compared to bare graphitic layers. Quantitative analysis reveals that the sensitivity of this hybrid sensor surpasses other 2D material hybrids, particularly in parts per billion concentrations.