Two-Dimensional MoS2 Nanosheet-Functionalized Optical Microfiber for Room-Temperature Volatile Organic Compound Detection

Two-dimensional (2D) transition-metal dichalcogenides such as molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) have received a great deal of attention for high-performance gas sensing applications. Unfortunately, before their translation to commercial use, several scientific problems remain to be solved. The challenges include poor stability in a humid environment, random deposition manner of MoS2 flakes that makes the process unscalable, and incomplete recovery at room temperature. Herein, we report a strategy for the room-temperature volatile organic compound (VOC) sensor using the optical microfiber sensing technology. We demonstrated well-controlled immobilization of MoS2 nanosheets onto the optical sensing region using the optical deposition technique. The experimental results show that the MoS2-functionalized optical microfiber sensor achieves high selectivity to polar aprotic and nonpolar VOCs. The sensor demonstrated high sensitivity of 0.0195, 0.0143, 0.0072, and 0.0058 nm/ppm to acetone, ethyl acetate, cyclohexane, and IPA, respectively. Finally, the repeatability and complete recovery capabilities of the sensor have also been validated in this work.

Automated summary

The study presents a strategy for a room-temperature VOC sensor using optical microfiber sensing technology, demonstrating successful immobilization of MoS2 nanosheets onto the sensor region. The sensor shows high selectivity, sensitivity, repeatability, and complete recovery capabilities for polar and nonpolar VOCs.