Impact of graphene nanoplatelet concentration and film thickness on vapor detection for polymer based chemiresistive sensors

Chemiresistive gas sensors utilizing graphene nanoplatelet (GNP)-polymer film coated electrodes have great promise for electronic nose applications. In this study GNP-polycaprolactone (PCL) based sensors fabricated using airbrush deposition are exposed to ethanol as an example target analyte to investigate ideal parameters for sensing performance maximization. The ratio of GNP to PCL was investigated from 3 to 21 wt% with sensing response maximized at 15 wt% and signal to noise ratio (SNR) maximized at 18 wt%. The effect of average coating thickness on the sensing performance was investigated by depositing 50–250 μL of 18 wt% GNP solution (852–2030 nm). The response was maximized at 150 μL (1370 nm) and the SNR was maximized at 200 μL (1680 nm). The results are consistent with previous studies of vapor sensors that employ carbon black-polymer films as sensing materials. The fabricated devices were robust and repeatable with respect to initial resistance, depth, roughness, sensor response, and SNR. Overall the results elucidate important parameters for fabrication and development of GNP-polymer gas sensors for detection and discrimination of target analytes with electronic nose systems.