Reduced graphene oxide hybridized with WS2 nanoflakes based heterojunctions for selective ammonia sensors at room temperature

Abstract Hybrid of the two dimensional nanostructured reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and WS2 has been investigated for a room temperature ammonia sensor. The formed rGO/WS2 heterojunctions prepared by one-step hydrothermal synthesis indicated a good sensitivity to different concentrations of ammonia from 10 ppm to 50 ppm at room temperature. The WS2 nanoflakes doped in the heterojunction plays significant role in the enhanced response through the introduction of more hydroxyls in rGO and the extra Lewis acid active centers. The sensor also shows an excellent selectivity to NO2, alcohols, formaldehyde, acetone and benzene and a good long term stability indicating a potential to be employed as a room temperature NH3 sensor.