Reduced Graphene Oxide Molecular Sensors

TLDR

The study demonstrates that reduced graphene oxide can serve as the active material for high‑performance molecular sensors. Sensors are fabricated by depositing exfoliated graphene oxide platelets into an ultrathin continuous network that is tunably reduced toward graphene via hydrazine vapor exposure, and their conductance change upon vapor exposure is measured. The level of reduction influences both sensitivity and 1/f noise, and the sensors can detect 10‑second exposures to simulants of the three main classes of chemical‑warfare agents and an explosive at parts‑per‑billion concentrations.

Abstract

We demonstrate reduced graphene oxide as the active material for high-performance molecular sensors. Sensors are fabricated from exfoliated graphene oxide platelets that are deposited to form an ultrathin continuous network. These graphene oxide networks are tunably reduced toward graphene by varying the exposure time to a hydrazine hydrate vapor. The conductance change of the networks upon exposure to trace levels of vapor is measured as a function of the chemical reduction. The level of reduction affects both the sensitivity and the level of 1/f noise. The sensors are capable of detecting 10 s exposures to simulants of the three main classes of chemical-warfare agents and an explosive at parts-per-billion concentrations.