Enhanced Room-Temperature Ethanol Detection by Quasi 2D Nanosheets of an Exfoliated Polymeric Graphitized Carbon Nitride Composite-Based Patterned Sensor

Abstract

A novel room-temperature gas sensor composed of polymeric graphitic carbon nitride composite was fabricated and used for the detection of ethanol vapor under ambient conditions. Polymeric carbon nitride (PCN) microstructures composed of fluffy nanosheets were synthesized via a thermal polycondensation mechanism using melamine as the precursor, followed by vigorous chemical exfoliation. These sheet-like microstructures were employed as active materials in the form of composites, along with carbon paste consisting of graphite nanoplatelets and carbon black. The active sensing layer was fabricated on a PET sheet and assembled on an interdigitated gold electrode. The as-fabricated sensor exhibited excellent sensing efficiency (>100% response at 10 ppm) along with high selectivity and stability. In particular, for ultralow concentrations such as 1 ppm (>10% response), this resistive-based sensor exhibited a swift response time provided under ambient conditions. The exfoliated PCN composite sensor was found to be working with appreciable efficiency at moderate relative humidity (%) with the least fluctuation in response signals also demonstrating longterm stability for 30 days with consistent response signals.