Metal-organic frameworks-derived zinc oxide nanopolyhedra/S, N: graphene quantum dots/polyaniline ternary nanohybrid for high-performance acetone sensing

Metal-organic frameworks-derived zinc oxide nanopolyhedra/S, N: graphene quantum dots/polyaniline (ZnO/S, N: GQDs/PANI) ternary nanohybrid was synthesized by in-situ polymerization route. The ZnO/S, N: GQDs/PANI nanocomposite was fabricated on a flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate with interdigital electrodes. The acetone-sensing properties of the ZnO/S, N: GQDs/PANI nanocomposite sensor were investigated by exposing it to various concentrations of acetone at room temperature. The ZnO/S, N: GQDs/PANI sensor demonstrated high response, fast response/recovery time, stable repeatability, excellent selectivity, outstanding long-term stability, and ppb-level sensitivity for trace acetone detection at room temperature. These results render the ZnO/S, N: GQDs/PANI film sensor a promising candidate for acetone sensing at room temperature. The underlying sensing mechanism of the ZnO/S, N: GQDs/PANI sensor toward acetone gas ascribed to the synergistic effect and heterojunction created in the ZnO/S, N: GQDs/PANI nanocomposite.