Chemoresistive room-temperature sensing of ammonia using zeolite imidazole framework and reduced graphene oxide (ZIF-67/ RGO) composite

Abstract

The present work demonstrates the application of a composite of the zeolite imidazole framework (ZIF-67) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO), synthesized via a simple hydrothermal route for the sensitive sensing of ammonia. The successful synthesis of ZIF-67 and rGO composite was confirmed with structural and spectroscopic characterizations. A porous structure and a high surface area (1080 m2 g−1) of the composite indicate its suitability as a gas sensing material. The composite material was coated as a thin film onto interdigitated gold electrodes. The sensor displays a change in its chemoresistive property (i.e., resistance) in the presence of ammonia (NH3) gas. A sensor response of 1.22 ± 0.02 [standard deviation (sd)] is measured for 20 ppm of NH3, while it shows a value of 4.77 ± 0.15 (sd) for 50 ppm of NH3. The fabricated sensor is reproducible and offers a stable response, while also providing tolerance against humidity and some other volatile compounds. The average response and recovery times of the sensor, for 50 ppm NH3 concentration, are found to be 46.5 ± 2.12 (sd) and 66.5 ± 2.12 (sd) s, respectively. The limit of detection of the sensor was found to be 74 ppb.