Click on “Download PDF” for the PDF version or on the title for the HTML version.

If you are not an ASABE member or if your employer has not arranged for access to the full-text, Click here for options.

Abstract. Graphene oxide and cuprous oxide (GO/Cu₂O) nanocomposite based quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) gas sensor via layer-by-layer self-assembly (LBLSA) method was developed for trimethylamine (TMA) gas sensing under concentrations of 5 ppm. The sensor response increased linearly with the concentration of TMA, which was consistent with the Saurebrey equation. It also had good sensitivity, reversibility, selectivity and stability in 60 days. The detection limit of 230 ppb was achieved which was the lowest detection levels among recently reported QCM gas sensor towards TMA under room temperature. The sensing mechanism of GO/Cu₂O nanocomposite based QCM gas sensor towards TMA under low concentrations was proposed as follows: (1) an adsorption-desorption process via hydrogen bonding between the GO surface carboxyl groups and TMA molecules; (2) enhanced physical adsorption of TMA gas molecules via LBLSA method due to enlarged surface area and p-n junction of GO/Cu₂O nanocomposite. This GO/Cu₂O nanocomposite based QCM gas sensor may provide a foundation for the TMA gas sensors development in areas of environmental protection and food safety.