Morphology-controlled synthesis of MoSe$_2$ nanostructures for highly sensitive and low-temperature NO$_2$ gas sensor applications

Viet Nhat Nguyen; Thi Hong Van Nguyen; Duc Chien Nguyen; Van Duy Nguyen; Duc Hoa Nguyen; Manh Hung Chu

doi:10.15625/0868-3166/23767

Author affiliations

Authors

Nguyen Viet Nhat School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hanoi University of Science and Technology https://orcid.org/0009-0004-2360-885X
Nguyen Thi Hong Van School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hanoi University of Science and Technology https://orcid.org/0009-0002-7394-2253
Nguyen Duc Chien School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hanoi University of Science and Technology
Nguyen Van Duy School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hanoi University of Science and Technology
Nguyen Duc Hoa School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hanoi University of Science and Technology https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5221-1323
Chu Manh Hung International Training Institute for Material Science (ITIMS)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15625/0868-3166/23767

Keywords:

MoSe$_2$ nanostructures, NO$_2$ sensor, room temperature sensing, morphology-controlled synthesis

Abstract

The development of highly sensitive and selective gas sensors is essential for detecting toxic gases such as NO$_2$ at trace levels. In this study, MoSe$_2$ nanostructures with tunable morphologies were synthesized via a hydrothermal method by adjusting the reaction time. Structural analysis using XRD, Raman spectroscopy, and TEM confirmed the formation of hexagonal-phase MoSe$_2$ with a hierarchical flower-like morphology composed of ultrathin nanosheets. The optimized sample, obtained at 36 hours of hydrothermal growth, exhibited the smallest crystallite size (4.74 nm), the largest specific surface area, and the lowest activation energy (0.23 eV). These features collectively contributed to its superior NO$_2$ sensing performance. Gas-sensing measurements revealed a rapid and reversible response to NO$_2$ at room temperature. These findings highlight the great potential of MoSe$_2$ nanostructures as efficient, low-power gas sensing materials and provide valuable insights into morphology-controlled synthesis for optimizing two-dimensional materials in environmental monitoring applications.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

[1] R. Yan, W. Zhao, X. Duan, T. Yu, W. Cui, W. Quan Et al., The optimization of noble metal-modified {mose2 nanoflowers gas sensor for hazardous {NO2} detection}, Microchem. J. 209 (2025) 112892.

[2] S. Kumar, A. Mirzaei, A. Kumar, M. H. Lee, Z. Ghahremani, T.-U. Kim Et al., Nanoparticles anchored strategy to develop {2d {MoS2} and {MoSe2} based room temperature chemiresistive gas sensors}, Coord. Chem. Rev. 503 (2024) 215657.

[3] L. V. Duy, T. T. Nguyet, C. M. Hung, D. T. T. Le, N. V. Duy, N. D. Hoa Et al., Ultrasensitive {__protected_0__2 gas sensing performance of two dimensional {ZnO} nanomaterials: Nanosheets and nanoplates}, Ceram. Int. 47 (2021) 28811.

[4] S. Kumar, G. Meng, P. Mishra, N. Tripathi and A. G. Bannov, A systematic review on {2d {MoS2} for nitrogen dioxide ({NO2}) sensing at room temperature}, Mater. Today Commun. 34 (2023) 105045.

[5] B. Yang, Y. Song, Y. Song, Z. Ma and J. Sun, {tio₂ {QDs}/{MoSe2} heterojunctions for enhanced photo-excited charge separation and gas sensing performance}, Sens. Actuators B Chem. 379 (2023) 133124.

[6] T. Seesaard, K. Kamjornkittikoon and C. Wongchoosuk, A comprehensive review on advancements in sensors for air pollution applications, Sci. Total Environ. 951 (2024) 175696.

[7] S. M. Majhi, A. Mirzaei, H. W. Kim, S. S. Kim and T. W. Kim, Recent advances in energy-saving chemiresistive gas sensors: a review, Nano Energy 79 (2021) 105369.

[8] M. Tonezzer, L. Masera, N. X. Thai, H. Nguyen, N. V. Duy and N. D. Hoa, Miniaturized multisensor system with a thermal gradient: performance beyond the calibration range, J. Sci. Adv. Mater. Devices 8 (2023) 100562.

[9] F. Jiang, W.-S. Zhao and J. Zhang, Mini-review: recent progress in the development of {mose2 based chemical sensors and biosensors}, Microelectron. Eng. 225 (2023) 111279.

[10] F. G. Aras, A. Yilmaz, H. G. Tasdelen, A. Ozden, F. Ay, N. K. Perkgoz Et al., A review on recent advances of chemical vapor deposition technique for monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides ({__protected_0__2: {Mo, W; S, Se, Te})}, Mater. Sci. Semicond. Process. 148 (2022) 106829.

[11] A. Alaghmandfard, S. Fardindoost, A. L. Frencken and M. Hoorfar, The next generation of hydrogen gas sensors based on transition metal dichalcogenide-metal oxide semiconductor hybrid structures, Ceram. Int. 50 (2024) 29026.

[12] W. Zheng, X. Liu, J. Xie, G. Lu and J. Zhang, Emerging van der waals junctions based on {__protected_0__s materials for advanced gas sensors}, Coord. Chem. Rev. 447 (2021) 214151.

[13] E. Kim, J.-Y. Kim and M.-K. Kwon, Synthesis of {mos2 using chemical vapor deposition and conventional hydrothermal methods: Applications to respiration sensing}, Appl. Sci. 13 (2023) 6084.

[14] J. M. Evans, K. S. Lee, E. X. Yan, A. C. Thompson, M. B. Morla, M. C. Meier Et al., Demonstration of a sensitive and stable chemical gas sensor based on covalently functionalized {mos2}, ACS Mater. Lett. 4 (2022) 1475.

[15] R. Guo, Y. Han, C. Su, X. Chen, M. Zeng, N. Hu Et al., Ultrasensitive room temperature {__protected_0__2 sensors based on liquid phase exfoliated {WSe}₂ nanosheets}, Sens. Actuators B Chem. 300 (2019) 127013.

[16] J. Jaiswal, A. Das, V. Chetry, S. Kumar and R. Chandra, {__protected_0__2 sensors based on crystalline {MoSe2} porous nanowall thin films with vertically aligned molecular layers prepared by sputtering}, Sens. Actuators B Chem. 359 (2022) 131552.

[17] R. Bhardwaj and A. Hazra, Oxygen-functionalized {mose2 nanoflowers for selective detection of xylene at room temperature}, Surf. Interfaces 43 (2023) 103523.

[18] L. Wang, S. Wang, Y. Wang, H. Zhang, Y. Kang and W. Huang, Synthesis of hierarchical {__protected_0__2 nanostructures assembled with nanosheets and their improved gas sensing properties}, Sens. Actuators B Chem. 188 (2013) 85.

[19] L. V. Thong, N. D. Hoa, D. T. T. Le, D. T. Viet, P. D. Tam, A.-T. Le Et al., On-chip fabrication of {__protected_0__2-nanowire gas sensor: The effect of growth time on sensor performance}, Sens. Actuators B Chem. 146 (2010) 361.

[20] L. V. Duy, T. T. Nguyet, C. M. Hung, N. V. Duy, N. D. Hoa, A. Catini Et al., Light-assisted room temperature ammonia gas sensor based on porphyrin-coated {v2o5 nanosheets}, Sens. Actuators B Chem. 409 (2024) 135582.

[21] S. Liu, Y. Zhang, B. Yu, Z. Wang, H. Zhao, N. Zhou Et al., Solvent-free infiltration method to prepare mesoporous {sno_s templated by {SiO2} nanoparticles for ethanol sensing}, Sens. Actuators B Chem. 210 (2015) 700.

[22] V. Vanathi, M. Sathishkumar, S. Kannan and A. Balamurugan, Enhanced hydrogen evolution performance of {mose2 photocatalysts synthesized by hydrothermal and ultrasonic methods}, Mater. Lett. 356 (2024) 135595.

[23] W. C. Benzing, J. B. Conn, J. V. Magee and E. J. Sheehan, Synthesis of selenides and tellurides. i. the reduction of selenites by hydrazine, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 80 (1958) 2657.

[24] H. Tang, H. Huang, X. Wang, K. Wu, G. Tang and C. Li, Hydrothermal synthesis of 3d hierarchical flower-like {mose2 microspheres and their adsorption performances for methyl orange}, Appl. Surf. Sci. 379 (2016) 296.

[25] C. Fan, Z. Wei, S. Yang and J. Li, Synthesis of {mose2 flower-like nanostructures and their photo-responsive properties}, RSC Adv. 4 (2014) 775.

[26] P. Zhang, G. Pan, B. Zhang, J. Zhen and Y. Sun, High sensitivity ethanol gas sensor based on {sn-doped {ZnO} under visible light irradiation at low temperature}, Mater. Res. 17 (2014) 817.

[27] P. H. Phuoc, C. M. Hung, N. V. Toan, N. V. Duy, N. D. Hoa and N. V. Hieu, One-step fabrication of s{__protected_0__2 porous nanofiber gas sensors for sub-ppm {H2S} detection}, Sens. Actuators A Phys. 303 (2020) 111722.

[28] K. Rathi and K. Pal, Fabrication of {mose2-graphene hybrid nanoflakes for toxic gas sensor with tunable sensitivity}, Adv. Mater. Interfaces 7 (2020) 2000140.

[29] A. Alagh, F. E. Annanouch, P. Umek, C. Bittencourt, A. Sierra-Castillo, E. Haye Et al., Cvd growth of self-assembled {2d and 1{D} {WS2} nanomaterials for the ultrasensitive detection of {NO2}}, Sens. Actuators B Chem. 326 (2021) 128813.

[30] S. Zhang, T. H. Nguyen, W. Zhang, Y. Park and W. Yang, Correlation between lateral size and gas sensing performance of {mose2 nanosheets}, Appl. Phys. Lett. 111 (2017) 161603.

[31] S. Liu, Y. Liu, H. Li, Y. Bai, J. Xue, R. Xu Et al., Performance enhancement of gas sensing by modification of molybdenum selenide nanosheets with metal nanoparticles, Nanotechnology 33 (2022) 215501.

[32] M. Donarelli, S. Prezioso, F. Perrozzi, F. Bisti, M. Nardone, L. Giancaterini Et al., Response to {__protected_0__2 and other gases of resistive chemically exfoliated {MoS2}-based gas sensors}, Sens. Actuators B Chem. 207 (2015) 602.

[33] A. Shahid, S. Hussain, M. J. Liaqat, S. Shah, K. Yusuf, R. K. Manavalan Et al., Architectures of {mos2/s{NO2} nanoflowers for {NO2} gas detection}, Ceram. Int. 50 (2024) 45075.

[34] S. Singh, J. Deb, U. Sarkar and S. Sharma, {mose2 crystalline nanosheets for room-temperature ammonia sensing}, ACS Appl. Nano Mater. 3 (2020) 9375.

[35] Q. Zhu, D. Gu, Z. Liu, B. Huang and X. Li, Au-modified {3d {SnS}₂ nano-flowers for low-temperature {NO2} sensors}, Sens. Actuators B Chem. 349 (2021) 130775.

[36] J. Wang, X. Sun, D. Qiao, Y. Zhang and Y. Gao, Selenium vacancy modulated {mose2 for high-performance asymmetric supercapacitor}, J. Energy Storage 141 (2026) 119181.

[37] N. T. Thang, L. T. Hong, N. H. Thoan, C. M. Hung, N. V. Duy, N. V. Hieu Et al., Controlled synthesis of ultrathin {mos2 nanoflowers for highly enhanced {NO2} sensing at room temperature}, RSC Adv. 10 (2020) 12759.

[38] Z. Li, H. Li, Z. Wu, M. Wang, J. Luo, H. Torun Et al., Advances in designs and mechanisms of semiconducting metal oxide nanostructures for high-precision gas sensors operated at room temperature, Mater. Horizons 6 (2019) 470.

[39] H. H. Hau, T. T. H. Duong, N. K. Man, T. T. V. Nga, T. T. X. C, D. T. T. Le Et al., Enhanced {__protected_0__2 gas-sensing performance at room temperature using exfoliated {MoS2} nanosheets}, Sens. Actuators A Phys. 332 (2021) 113137.

[40] F. Yavari, Z. Chen, A. V. Thomas, W. Ren, H.-M. Cheng and N. Koratkar, High sensitivity gas detection using a macroscopic three-dimensional graphene foam network, Sci. Rep. 1 (2011) 166.