Selected gas response measurements using reduced graphene oxide decorated with nickel nanoparticles

Abstract The work reports the synthesis of nickel nanoparticles supported on thermally reduced graphene oxides (rGO) in the ionic liquid [BMIm][NTf2] through microwave decomposition reaction. Ni@rGO with the polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) as binder was positively tested for its response towards the oxidizing gas nitrogen dioxide (10 ​ppm in air), the reducing gas carbon monoxide (3000 ​ppm in N2) and the volatile organic compound (VOC) acetone (35,000 ​ppm in air). The results from different gases were compared at different temperatures with the best results for NO2 at 200 ​°C. Additionally, it is shown for NO2 gas that the Ni@rGO-PEDOT:PSS polymer composite gives better results than the rGO-PEDOT:PSS polymer composite. After the heat treatment the oxidation state of pure nickel nanoparticles were confirmed by powder diffraction.