A new chemical sensing material for ethanol detection: Graphene-like film

The development of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) sensor, operating at room temperature (RT), is a challenge for the research community. In this framework, we present a device based on a graphene-like (GL) material suitably tested as sensing layer for the ethanol detection. GL material was obtained through a two steps oxidation/reduction method starting from a nanostructured carbon black. GL material combines a defect-free basal plane graphenic structure with the presence of oxygen functional groups, mainly carboxylic, located on the layer edges. A GL-based device was realized and investigated for the detection of ethanol. The experiments were performed under atmospheric pressure, in a dry air and at RT. Results showed that GL material is a promising candidate for the detection of low concentration of ethanol at RT.