Surface Engineering on Transition Metal Dichalcogenides: In Situ Encapsulation of Metal-Organic Frameworks for Highly
Junwei Zeng1, Weicheng Jiao1, You Wang2
1National Key Laboratory of Science and Technology on Advanced Composites in Special Environments, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, P. R. China.
Advanced Science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)
|February 28, 2026
Summary
This study developed a new gas sensor using 2D UiO-66-NH2/MoS2 to detect nitrogen dioxide (NO2). The sensor shows enhanced humidity resistance and selectivity for accurate gas detection.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Chemical Sensing
Background:
- Two-dimensional (2D) materials offer high surface area for gas sensing but are limited by humidity interference.
- Relative humidity (RH) fluctuations reduce the accuracy and stability of 2D material-based gas sensors in real-world applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To enhance the humidity resistance and selectivity of 2D material-based gas sensors.
- To develop a robust sensor for detecting nitrogen dioxide (NO2) under varying humidity conditions.
Main Methods:
- In situ construction of a 2D metal-organic framework (MOF), UiO-66-NH2, on molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) using an aqueous synthesis method.
- Fabrication of a 2D UiO-66-NH2/MoS2 composite gas sensor.
- Evaluation of gas sensing performance across a wide relative humidity range (35%-75%).
Main Results:
- The 2D UiO-66-NH2/MoS2 sensor demonstrated significantly enhanced NO2 sensing performance within a broad RH range.
- The MOF encapsulation effectively suppressed water molecule adsorption and condensation, improving sensor stability.
- Improved selectivity was observed due to shielding from water molecules and interfering gases.
- An ultralow limit of detection (LOD) of 20 ppb for NO2 was achieved at room temperature.
Conclusions:
- Surface engineering with 2D MOF encapsulation is a viable strategy for creating high-performance, humidity-resistant gas sensors.
- The developed 2D UiO-66-NH2/MoS2 sensor represents a significant advancement for practical gas sensing applications.
- This approach offers a pathway for fabricating advanced 2D material-based sensors with improved selectivity and stability.
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