SnS2 nanoflakes for efficient humidity and alcohol sensing at room temperature

Abstract

We report a one step facile hydrothermal synthesis of layered SnS₂ nanoflakes. The as-synthesized nanosheets are characterized using X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The humidity sensing behavior of SnS₂ nanoflake sensor device were investigated in the range of 11–97% of relative humidity (RH) at room temperature. The response time of ∼85 s and recovery time of ∼6 s were observed for the SnS₂ nanoflake based humidity sensor. A maximum sensitivity of 11 300% is recorded. We also investigate the SnS₂ nanoflake based alcohol sensing properties towards methanol, ethanol and iso-propyl alcohol. An exclusive selectivity towards methanol with a response of 1580 is shown as compared to other analytes. The response time of ∼67 s and recovery time of just 5 s were observed for the SnS₂ nanoflake based methanol sensor.