Quantitative description of Ag nanoparticles-graphene hybrids with optimized morphology on sensing performance

Due to their synergistic effect, metal nanoparticles (NPs)-graphene hybrids exhibit better catalytic activity and sensing performance in bio application, chemical sensors and Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrate than most of other hybrids. To give quantitative description of gas sensing performance depending on metal NPs morphology, we have experimentally acquired NH₃ sensing profiles of Ag NPs-graphene hybrids with different morphology, and extracted adsorption heat according to the Langmuir adsorption theory. The relation between sensing performance and catalytic activity of Ag NPs-graphene hybrids has been established. The optimized morphology as size, coverage and degree of dispersion of Ag NPs on graphene results in higher catalytic activity, which is the key point of enhanced sensing performance. The maximum response of Ag NPs-graphene hybrids with optimized morphology is about 2 times the average response of the others. The quantitative description of gas sensing performance depending on surface morphology of Ag NPs-graphene hybrids should pave a way for other sensing areas.