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Fabulous sensing of N,N-Dimethylformamide (DMF) Vapor Using Hydrothermally Prepared Zinc Oxide/Graphene Nanoplatelets Nanocomposite

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Abstract

ZnO and ZnO/graphene nanoplatelet (GNP) nanocomposite samples were prepared via a facile hydrothermal method in this study. The crystal structure of both samples was evaluated and confirmed, and their lattice parameters were estimated. The morphology of ZnO revealed separated nanoparticles, while the ZnO nanoparticles were present between graphene layers in the ZnO/graphene nanoplatelet composite. Analytical observation indicated that both samples are pure synthesized material with no elemental impurities. Subsequently, they were evaluated as a conductometric sensor for the detection of N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) vapor. The ZnO/graphene nanocomposite-based sensor exhibited an impressive response, ranging from 31.34 to 76.60 for DMF concentrations of 30–100 ppm, compared to the ZnO-based sensor at the optimal working temperature of 270°C. The superior sensing performance of the ZnO/graphene sensor is primarily ascribed to the formation of p–n heterojunctions within the nanocomposite structure. Its detection limit, estimated at around 72 ppb, underscores its promise as a viable and effective sensing platform.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, La.C., Islamic Azad University, Lahijan, Iran

    Abbas Bagheri Khatibani

  2. Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA

    Somayeh Saadat Niavol

  3. Department of Solid State Physics, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran

    Samaneh Rasouli Jamnani & Hossain Milani Moghaddam

  4. Departmaent of Medical Radiation engineering, La.C., Islamic Azad University, Lahijan, Iran

    Alireza Azadbar

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Correspondence to Abbas Bagheri Khatibani.

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Bagheri Khatibani, A., Saadat Niavol, S., Rasouli Jamnani, S. et al. Fabulous sensing of N,N-Dimethylformamide (DMF) Vapor Using Hydrothermally Prepared Zinc Oxide/Graphene Nanoplatelets Nanocomposite. J. Electron. Mater. (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11664-025-12124-x

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  • DOI  https://doi.org/10.1007/s11664-025-12124-x

Keywords

  • Zinc oxide
  • graphene nanoplatelets
  • gas sensor
  • DMF vapor

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