MoS2 and MoS2-based nanocomposites for enhanced toluene sensing response at room temperature

Nanostructured materials, characterized by their unique physical and chemical attributes at the nanoscale, enable the development of advanced applications due to their distinct size-dependent phenomena and surface properties. Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) has recently attracted significant attention for room-temperature gas detection due to its large specific surface area, enhanced surface reactivity, and increased carrier mobility. Herein, we report enhanced toluene sensing response of MoS2 and MoS2-based nanocomposites (MoS2-GO and MoS2-Fe3O4) at room temperature. The hydrothermal method was employed to synthesize MoS2-based nanocomposites chemically. Highly selective and sensitive MoS2-based gas sensors were fabricated and applied to enhance room temperature sensing for different concentrations of toluene. The samples MoS2, MoS2-Fe3O4, and MoS2-GO showed good sensing performance, having sensing ability (Delta R/Rair%) for 20 ppm of toluene around 197%, 205%, and 217%, respectively. These results demonstrate how well the nanocomposite structures work to address MoS2's low gas sensing response and enhance overall sensing performance. The findings suggest that MoS2-based nanocomposites could be useful for sensing toluene gas.