Reduced graphene oxide modified with hierarchical flower-like In(OH)3 for NO2 room-temperature sensing

For gas sensors, graphene modified with functional micro- and nanomaterials has been considered as promising materials to improve the sensing performances. In this report, graphene modified by hierarchical flower-like In(OH)(3), for the first time, was prepared by a one-step microwave-assisted hydrothermal method. The as-obtained In(OH)(3)/rGO composites exhibited loosely hierarchical flower morphology, thus was favourable for sensing performance enhancement. A room-temperature NO2 sensor based on as-synthesized In(OH)(3)/rGO composites was fabricated, and displayed an excellent selectivity and a significant response to NO2 with a concentration lower to 1 ppm. The results also revealed that the sensor exhibited a rapid recovery in exposure of water vapour, compared to natural recovery in air. The enhanced NO2 sensing performances were attributed to the synergistic effect of functional In(OH)(3) and graphene in the unique composites. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.