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Highly sensitive, responsive, and selective iodine gas sensor fabricated using AgI-functionalized graphene

Author

Listed:
  • Zhuo Chen

    (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST)
    Hebei Onlysense Technology Co. Ltd)

  • Qiong Lei

    (Macau University of Science and Technology)

  • Yinchang Ma

    (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST))

  • Jinrong Wang

    (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST))

  • Yuan Yan

    (The University of Melbourne)

  • Jun Yin

    (Kowloon)

  • Jiaqiang Li

    (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST))

  • Jie Shen

    (Nanyang Technological University)

  • Guanxing Li

    (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST))

  • Tingting Pan

    (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST))

  • Xinglong Dong

    (Saudi Aramco)

  • Bambar Davaasuren

    (KAUST)

  • Yaping Zhang

    (KAUST)

  • Jefferson Zhe Liu

    (The University of Melbourne)

  • Jun Tao

    (First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University)

  • Yu Han

    (South China University of Technology
    South China University of Technology
    Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Energy & Information Polymer Materials
    South China University of Technology)

Abstract

Radioactive molecular iodine (I2) is a critical volatile pollutant generated in nuclear energy applications, necessitating sensors that rapidly and selectively detect low concentrations of I2 vapor to protect human health and the environment. In this study, we design and prepare a three-component sensing material comprising reduced graphene oxide (rGO) as the substrate, silver iodide (AgI) particles as active sites, and polystyrene sulfonate as an additive. The AgI particles enable reversible adsorption and conversion of I2 molecules into polyiodides, inducing substantial charge density variation in rGO. This mechanism facilitates exceptional sensitivity and selectivity, ultrafast response and recovery times, and room-temperature operation. A multifunctional sensor prototype fabricated utilizing this material achieves the fastest reported response/recovery times (22/22 seconds in dynamic mode and 4.2/11 seconds in static mode) and a detection limit of 25 ppb, surpassing standards set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), while outperforming commercial I2 gas sensors. This work provides profound insights into the design of I2 sensing materials and mechanisms for real-world applications.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhuo Chen & Qiong Lei & Yinchang Ma & Jinrong Wang & Yuan Yan & Jun Yin & Jiaqiang Li & Jie Shen & Guanxing Li & Tingting Pan & Xinglong Dong & Bambar Davaasuren & Yaping Zhang & Jefferson Zhe Liu & J, 2025. "Highly sensitive, responsive, and selective iodine gas sensor fabricated using AgI-functionalized graphene," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-56621-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-56621-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yinghui Xie & Qiuyu Rong & Fengyi Mao & Shiyu Wang & You Wu & Xiaolu Liu & Mengjie Hao & Zhongshan Chen & Hui Yang & Geoffrey I. N. Waterhouse & Shengqian Ma & Xiangke Wang, 2024. "Engineering the pore environment of antiparallel stacked covalent organic frameworks for capture of iodine pollutants," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Yaqiang Xie & Tingting Pan & Qiong Lei & Cailing Chen & Xinglong Dong & Youyou Yuan & Walid Al Maksoud & Long Zhao & Luigi Cavallo & Ingo Pinnau & Yu Han, 2022. "Efficient and simultaneous capture of iodine and methyl iodide achieved by a covalent organic framework," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-10, December.
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