Graphene-Like Porous ZnO/Graphene Oxide Nanosheets for High-Performance Acetone Vapor Detection

Abstract

In order to obtain acetone sensor with excellent sensitivity, selectivity, and rapid response/recovery speed, graphene-like ZnO/graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets were synthesized using the wet-chemical method with an additional calcining treatment. The GO was utilized as both the template to form the two-dimensional (2-D) nanosheets and the sensitizer to enhance the sensing properties. Sensing performances of ZnO/GO nanocomposites were studied with acetone as a target gas. The response value could reach 94 to 100 ppm acetone vapor and the recovery time could reach 4 s. The excellent sensing properties were ascribed to the synergistic effects between ZnO nanosheets and GO, which included a unique 2-D structure, large specific surface area, suitable particle size, and abundant in-plane mesopores, which contributed to the advance of novel acetone vapor sensors and could provide some references to the synthesis of 2-D graphene-like metals oxide nanosheets.