Time-Dependent Growth of Sputtered MoS₂ Films on ZnO Nanorods for Enhanced NO₂ Sensing Performance

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) has gained attention for its promising gas-sensing capabilities due to its high surface area and tunable electronic properties. In this study, we investigate the time-dependent growth (under constant conditions) of sputtered MoS₂ films on ZnO nanorods and their impact on NO₂ sensing performance. ZnO nanorods, synthesized via a hydrothermal method, provide a high-surface-area template to enhance charge transport and gas adsorption. Gas-sensing experiments revealed a strong correlation between MoS₂ thickness and NO₂ response, with the 25-min-sputtered MoS₂ film exhibiting the highest response of 20.9%. The synergistic interaction between MoS₂ and ZnO nanorods facilitated charge transfer and enhanced adsorption sites for NO₂ molecules. These findings emphasize the critical role of time-dependent growth of MoS₂ film in modulating gas-sensing performance and provide insights into designing high-sensitivity NO₂ sensors at room temperature. This study contributes to the development of hybrid MoS₂/ZnO nanostructures for next-generation environmental monitoring applications.