Graphene/TiO2 Heterostructure Integrated with a Micro-Lightplate for Low-Power NO2 Gas Detection

Low-power gas sensors that can be used in IoT (Internet of Things) systems, consumer devices, and point-of-care devices will enable new applications in environmental monitoring and health protection. We fabricated a monolithic chemiresistive gas sensor by integrating a micro-lightplate with a 2D sensing material composed of single-layer graphene and monolayer-thick TiO₂. Applying ultraviolet (380 nm) light with quantum energy above the TiO₂ bandgap effectively enhanced the sensor responses. Low (<1 μW optical) power operation of the device was demonstrated by measuring NO₂ gas at low concentrations, which is typical in air quality monitoring, with an estimated limit of detection < 0.1 ppb. The gas response amplitudes remained nearly constant over the studied light intensity range (1-150 mW/cm²) owing to the balance between the photoinduced adsorption and desorption processes of the gas molecules. The rates of both processes followed an approximately square-root dependence on light intensity, plausibly because the electron-hole recombination of photoinduced charge carriers is the primary rate-limiting factor. These results pave the way for integrating 2D materials with micro-LED arrays as a feasible path to advanced electronic noses.