An impact of RGO on the ZnO nanoparticles: structural, morphological, electrical, and gas sensing properties

In this work ZnO: RGO nanocomposites were synthesised by ex-situ synthesis method by changing the concentrations of RGO nanoparticles in ZnO matrix (0, 5, 10, 15, 20 wt%).The prepared nanocomposites were structural and morphologically characterised using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM).XRD and FTIR spectroscopical studies reveal the presence of characteristic bands of both RGO and ZnO nanoparticles and the formation of their composites confirmed with the interfacial interaction of RGO nanoparticles in the ZnO systems.FESEM images of ZnO: RGO composites depict the increase in the symmetrical morphology with the increase of concentration of RGO.HRTEM demonstrated that the 85ZnO:15RGO composite is made up of stacking wrinkled RGO sheets with embedded ZnO nanoparticles.The electrical characteristics of the synthesised samples were investigated at room temperature across the frequency range of 100 Hz to 5 MHz.The butane gas sensing performance of the ZnO:RGO composites was deliberated for different temperatures.