This paper demonstrates an acetylene gas sensor based on an Ag-decorated tin dioxide/reduced graphene oxide (Ag-SnO₂/rGO) nanocomposite film, prepared by layer-by-layer (LbL) self-assembly technology. The as-prepared Ag-SnO₂/rGO nanocomposite was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectrum. The acetylene sensing properties were investigated using different working temperatures and gas concentrations. An optimal temperature of 90 °C was determined, and the Ag-SnO₂/rGO nanocomposite sensor exhibited excellent sensing behaviors towards acetylene, in terms of response, repeatability, stability and response/recovery characteristics, which were superior to the pure SnO₂ and SnO₂/rGO film sensors. The sensing mechanism of the Ag-SnO₂/rGO sensor was attributed to the synergistic effect of the ternary nanomaterials, and the heterojunctions created at the interfaces between SnO₂ and rGO. This work indicates that the Ag-SnO₂/rGO nanocomposite is a good candidate for constructing a low-temperature acetylene sensor.
Keywords: acetylene sensor; graphene; layer-by-layer self-assembly; nanocomposite film.