Room-Temperature Triethylamine Sensor Based on Reduced Graphene Oxide/CeO2 Nanocomposites

Triethylamine (TEA) detection hasbeen widely performedby usingchemoresistive sensors. Nevertheless, chemoresistive sensors stillexhibit limitations to be addressed in terms of power consumptionand humidity interference, and developing efficient TEA sensors operatedat low temperatures and humid conditions remains a challenge. Here,we present the effect of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) on the TEA-sensingperformance of CeO2 nanospheres at room temperature anda relative humidity (RH) range of 34-70%. We show that CeO2 is a suitable sensing material for TEA detection at roomtemperature and humidity conditions; however, the modification withRGO greatly improves the TEA-sensing performance. The RGO/CeO2 nanocomposite has higher sensitivity and selectivity to TEAthan the bare CeO2-based sensor, in addition to the lowtheoretical detection limit of 1 ppm at 70% RH. Moreover, we elucidatethat humidity plays a positive role in the detection of TEA. Our findingselucidate that RGO positively affects the sensing performance of CeO2 nanospheres, which can be attributed to the improvementsin the baseline electrical resistance and enhancement of the activesites for TEA adsorption due to the RGO modification. This work providesa promising strategy for developing sensitive TEA sensors with practicalapplications.

Automated summary

This study investigates the effect of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) on the sensing performance of CeO2 nanospheres for triethylamine (TEA) detection at room temperature and humidity conditions. The RGO/CeO2 nanocomposite exhibits higher sensitivity and selectivity to TEA, as well as a lower theoretical detection limit of 1 ppm at 70% RH, compared to the bare CeO2-based sensor. The study also highlights the positive role of humidity in TEA detection. These findings provide a promising strategy for developing sensitive TEA sensors with practical applications.