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Facile two step synthesis of chemiresistive sensor based on γFe2O3—activated carbon composites for room temperature alcohol vapour detection

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Abstract

Here in this research, Activated Carbon (AC)-γFe2O3 composite structures were prepared by pyrolysis of bamboo at 700–1000 °C temperatures. Characterization of the as-obtained samples by field-emission scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the formation of AC-γFe2O3 composite. The alcohol sensing performance of the composite structure at room temperature was investigated for different ethanol concentrations, which showed self-activated faster response/recovery, improved range of detection, and sensitivity. Ethanol sensing by the drop-casted AC-γFe2O3 films on a glass substrate was tested for various ethanol concentrations ranging from 50 to 500 ppm in water. The chemiresistive p-n-type heterojunctions formed between AC and γFe2O3 were attributed to the room temperature alcohol sensing performance of the material. AC-γFe2O3 prepared at 700 °C showed better sensitivity of 49% for 500 ppm ethanol concentration. The quickest response time was found to be 26 s for 100 ppm ethanol concentration with a recovery time of 15 s.

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Abbreviations

AC:

Activated carbon

GO:

Graphene oxide

rGO:

Reduced graphene oxide

FESEM:

Field-emission scanning electron microscopy

XRD:

X-ray diffraction

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the experimental facilities used at IISC, Bangalore and Dr. RN for his valuable help and suggestions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Applied Sciences, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, 751024, India

    Luna Jena, Dhani Soren, Pratap Kumar Deheri & Puspalata Pattojoshi

  2. Institute of Physics, P.O. Sainik School, Sachivalaya Marg, Bhubaneswar, 751005, India

    Sachindra Nath Sarangi

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  1. Luna Jena
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Jena, L., Sarangi, S.N., Soren, D. et al. Facile two step synthesis of chemiresistive sensor based on γFe2O3—activated carbon composites for room temperature alcohol vapour detection. Appl. Phys. A 128, 153 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-022-05311-8

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