Two-step hydrothermal fabrication of CeO2-loaded MoS2 nanoflowers for ethanol gas sensing application

• The flower-like CeO 2 -modified MoS 2 nanocomposite was prepared by a simple hydrothermal method. • The nanocomposite exhibited distinct behaviors in terms of the enhancement of ethanol sensing properties at room temperature. • The ethanol gas detection circuit was constructed by combining the MoS 2 /CeO 2 sensor and the microcontroller. • The enhanced ethanol sensing properties of the nanocomposite were systematically discussed. CeO 2 nanoparticles-decorated MoS 2 nanoflowers were prepared through a two-step hydrothermal method. The morphologies and structures of the synthesized MoS 2 /CeO 2 samples were characterized via numerous characterization methods. It can be seen that CeO 2 nanoparticles tightly adhered to the surfaces of MoS 2 nanoflowers. Compared with pure MoS 2 , the better ethanol gas sensing performance is got after CeO 2 doping, especially the obviously increased response value and shortened response-recovery time. In addition, considering the influence of humidity on the gas sensing, the responses of the composite sensor to ethanol gas under different humidity conditions were also compared. The greatly enhanced sensing performance of the MoS 2 /CeO 2 composite sensor was mainly attributed to the variable valence state of cerium ions and the synergistic effects of MoS 2 nanoflowers and CeO 2 nanoparticles. Meanwhile, the ethanol gas detection circuit was constructed by combining the MoS 2 /CeO 2 sensor and the microcontroller, which can realize the real-time display of gas concentration and the over-limit alarm.