Synergistically enhanced NH3 gas sensing of graphene oxide-decorated Nano-ZnO thin films

This study focuses on enhancing nanostructured ZnO thin films ammonia (NH3) sensing capabilities at room temperature by integrating graphene-oxide (GO) via the drop -casting technique, thereby exploring the possibilities of tailoring NH3 sensing measurements. Structural investigations indicated the hexagonal-wurtzite structure of the sputtered ZnO and GO -decorated thin films. The Raman spectroscopy results validate the electrochemically exfoliated GO, and the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy characterization revealed the Zn2+ state and oxygen vacancies. The NH3 gas sensing measurements for GO/ZnO revealed a remarkable increase in sensitivity, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.1 ppm. This exhibited a response 50 times superior to bare ZnO for 5 ppm of NH3 at room temperature (RT). As a result of decorating GO increased active sites and surface area. This significant enhancement in sensor response underscores the synergistic effect of GO -decoration, and ZnO leading to substantially improved gas -detecting capabilities.