One step in-situ single aligned Graphene-ZnO nanofiber for UV sensing

Sahatiya, P and Badhulika, Sushmee (2015) One step in-situ single aligned Graphene-ZnO nanofiber for UV sensing. RSC Advances. pp. 1-12. ISSN 2046-2069 (In Press)

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Abstract

Herein we report a simple, one step method for in-situ synthesis and alignment of a single graphene doped Zinc oxide (Gr- ZnO) composite nanofiber fabricated by electrospinning across electrodes and its subsequent use for ultraviolet (UV) detection. The study involves the optimization of calcination temperature and time dependent electrospinning for alignment of Gr-ZnO composite nanofiber across gold electrodes. SEM analysis and Raman studies revealed the presence of ZnO embedded within uniformly distributed Gr flakes throughout the surface of the composite fiber. XRD of Gr-ZnO confirmed highly crystalline ZnO structure with amorphous graphene. Different weight percentages of graphene flakes were taken to synthesize the composite to determine the optimum composition that enabled the synergistic contribution of both ZnO and graphene for UV sensing. I-V measurements under UV illumination showed the composite to exhibit superior UV sensing performance with a ~1892 fold increase in the conductance for 0.5 wt. % of graphene. Underlying mechanism of charge transfer of photogenerated electrons and holes from ZnO to graphene under UV illumination was studied. The method presented in this paper provides a simple, effective and economic viable strategy for alignment of various composite fibers and can thus be used in a wide range of sensing applications.

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