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Room temperature LPG resistive sensor based on the use of a few-layer graphene/SnO2 nanocomposite

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Abstract

A nanocomposite consisting of a few layers of graphene (FLG) and tin dioxide (SnO2) was prepared by ultrasound-assisted synthesis. The uniform SnO2 nanoparticles (NPs) on the FLG were characterized by X-ray diffraction in terms of lattice and phase structure. The functional groups present in the composite were analyzed by FTIR. Electron microscopy (HR-TEM and FE-SEM) was used to study the morphology. The effect of the fraction of FLG present in the nanocomposite was investigated. Sensitivity, selectivity and reproducibility towards resistive sensing of liquid propane gas (LPG) was characterized by the I-V method. The sensor with 1% of FLG on SnO2 operated at a typical voltage of 1 V performs best in giving a rapid and sensitive response even at 27 °C. This proves that the operating temperature of such sensors can be drastically decreased which is in contrast to conventional metal oxide LPG sensors.

Schematic of a room temperature gas sensor for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). It is based on the use of a few-layered graphene (1 wt%)/SnO2 nanocomposite that was deposited on an interdigitated electrode (IDEs). A sensing mechanism for LPG detection has been established.

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Acknowledgements

The author (K. V. Rao) is thankful to Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) - Department of Science and Technology (DST) [Project No. SB/EMEQ-183/2013] for the generous financial support.

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Author notes

  1. Kalagadda Venkateswara Rao

    Present address: School of Medicine, Radiology Department, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nano Electronics Laboratory, Centre for Nano Science and Technology, JNT University Hyderabad, Kukatpally, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500085, India

    Solleti Goutham, Satish Bykkam & Kalagadda Venkateswara Rao

  2. Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Qatar University, P.O. Box 2713, Doha, Qatar

    Kishor Kumar Sadasivuni

  3. Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT- Hyderabad, Kandi, Telangana, 502285, India

    Devarai Santhosh Kumar

  4. Structural Materials Niche Area, School of Materials and Mineral Resources Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 14300, Nibong Tebal, Penang, Malaysia

    Mohsen Ahmadipour & Zainal Arifin Ahmad

Authors
  1. Solleti Goutham
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  2. Satish Bykkam
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  3. Kishor Kumar Sadasivuni
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  4. Devarai Santhosh Kumar
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Correspondence to Kalagadda Venkateswara Rao.

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Goutham, S., Bykkam, S., Sadasivuni, K.K. et al. Room temperature LPG resistive sensor based on the use of a few-layer graphene/SnO2 nanocomposite. Microchim Acta 185, 69 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-017-2537-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-017-2537-0

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