Directional reduction of graphene oxide sheets using photocatalytic activity of ZnO nanowires for the fabrication of a high sensitive oxygen sensor

Enhancement in sensitivity of graphene-based oxygen sensor using photocatalytic activity of ZnO nanowires is reported. For this purpose, ZnO nanowires were grown between comb-like electrodes using a novel oxygen plasma treatment approach. Graphene oxide sheets were then dispersed on the laterally grown nanowires. The fabricated heterostructures were exposed to ultra violet light to take advantage of the photocatalytic behavior of ZnO nanowires. Measurements indicated emerging reduced graphene oxide regions as a consequence of UV irradiation. Our results open up a promising approach to achieve conductive lines within the graphene oxide sheets to enhance the sensitivity of the structure to oxygen. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.