UV light activated g-C3N4 nanoribbons coated surface acoustic wave sensor for high performance sub-ppb level NO2 detection at room temperature

The demand for efficient gas sensors in detecting low ppb-level NO2 gas is increasing rapidly for the human life and environmental protection. In this regard, surface acoustic wave (SAW) based gas sensor with selectively coated one dimensional (1D) graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4/GCN) nanostructure interface layer is a viable strategy for the sub-ppb level NO2 gas detection at room temperature (RT~30 oC). Here, we explore SAW gas sensor employed with 1D GCN nanoribbons (NRs) for NO2 detection under UV-irradiation at RT. Intriguingly, the GCN NRs SAW sensor achieves an ultrahigh frequency response (Δf~28.13 kHz), short response/recovery times (131 s/116 s), excellent selectivity to NO2 (10 ppm) gas and also records a lowest detection limit (~42 ppb) under UV activation at RT. The enhanced sensing performances were attributed to the high mass loading effect induced by the enhanced charge transfer between the 1D GCN NRs surface and NO2 gas molecules, boosted by the photoexcited charge carriers, numerous surface sites, and improved specific surface area of 1D GCN NRs. The proposed GCN NRs SAW sensor demonstrates exceptional repeatability, good long-term stability with a minimal loss in its Δf, and exhibited robust sensitivity towards NO2 (10 ppm) under diverse relative humidity conditions (0-80%) at RT. The peculiar sensing results of GCN NRs SAW sensor was elucidates using energy band theory sensing mechanism assisted with resistive type gas sensor. Overall, this study offers significant insights into the development of cost-effective real-time RT based NO2 sensor, paving the way for practical air quality monitoring.