LAUSR

Abstract Herein, we aimed to synthesize an efficient room-temperature gas sensor using biomass-derived graphene nanosheets-Ag2S based hybrid nanostructure by a microwave-assisted hydrothermal method. The electron micrographs of the synthesized Ag2S-GNS nanostructure depicts rice-shaped Ag2S nanoparticles impregnated onto graphene surfaces. Interestingly, the bandgap of Ag2S and Ag2S-GNS based hybrid nanostructures were identified to be 2.04 eV and 1.75 eV, respectively. The Ag2S-GNS based hybrid nanostructure showed better hydrogen sensing efficiency than the pure Ag2S nanoparticles. The maximum response of 45.5 % for 150 ppm exposure of hydrogen gas was obtained for Ag2S-GNS based hybrid nanostructure at room temperature. The sensing response and recovery of Ag2S-GNS hybrid nanostructures towards hydrogen gas were found to be 19 sec and 31 sec, respectively. The high gas sensitivity and fast response time of the hybrid sensor were due to assorted attributes and synergetic effect between Ag2S and GNS hybrids.