Boosting the response characteristics towards rapid detection of NO2 gas molecules utilizing 2D - WS2/rGO hybrid nanocomposites at ambient environment

In this work, we have fabricated hybrid nanocomposites of WS 2 /rGO using facile hydrothermal method for room temperature based NO 2 gas detection. The synthesized WS 2 /rGO nanocomposites showed p-type response with improved sensitivity and selectivity towards NO 2 gas. The pristine WS 2 nanosheets showed response around 21 % whereas the WS 2 /rGO nanocomposites showed an improved response of 82 % towards 10 ppm NO 2 gas molecules. The response and recovery time towards 10 ppm NO 2 gas was around 26 s/553 s and 58 s/627 s for pristine WS 2 and WS 2 /rGO nanocomposites, respectively. The prepared WS 2 /rGO nanocomposites showed high selectivity towards NO 2 gas. Further, the long-term stability and repeatability studies were carried out and the results indicate the potential utilization of WS 2 /rGO nanocomposite towards NO 2 gas detection at room temperature.