High-Sensitivity NO₂ Gas Sensor: Exploiting UV-Enhanced Recovery in a Hexadecafluorinated Iron Phthalocyanine-Reduced Graphene Oxide

Monitoring ultralow nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) concentrations is crucial for air quality management and public health. However, the existing NO₂ gas sensors have several defects, like high cost and power consumption, and exhibit poor selectivity. This study addresses these challenges by presenting a novel hexadecafluorinated iron phthalocyanine-reduced graphene oxide (FePcF₁₆-rGO) covalent hybrid sensor for NO₂ detection. This innovative approach, which overcomes the limitations of fabrication cost, energy efficiency, and gas selectivity, is a significant step forward in gas sensor technology. The sensor demonstrates exceptional sensitivity toward ultralow NO₂ concentrations (15.14% response for 100 ppb) with a rapid 60 s UV light-induced recovery. Additionally, the sensor exhibits high selectivity for NO₂, achieving a limit of detection (LOD) of 8.59 ppb. This approach paves the way for developing cost-effective, energy-efficient, and miniature NO₂ monitoring devices for improved environmental monitoring and enhanced safety in workplaces where NO₂ exposure is a concern.