MoS2, Alq3 and PEDOT:PSS Based Nanocomposite For CO2 Gas Sensing Application | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article MoS2, Alq3 and PEDOT:PSS Based Nanocomposite For CO2 Gas Sensing Application KIRAN KHAITAN, SHWETA TRIPATHI This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7067312/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 11 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract This study explores the fabrication and evaluation of nanocomposite films com- posed of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), tris(8-hydroxyquinolinato)aluminum (Alq3), and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) for potential gas detection applications. The sensor architecture utilizes a fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) coated glass substrate, where the active sensing layer is confined to the central region. Comprehensive structural and electrical analyses were performed to assess the material's behavior in the presence of target gases. The results demonstrate excellent sensitivity, indicating that the MoS₂:Alq3:PEDOT:PSS hybrid system is a promising candidate for next-generation gas sensing technologies. Alq3 PEDOT:PSS MoS2 Sensor Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 I. INTRODUCTION Gas sensors are important for keeping our environment safe, protecting workers, and supporting healthcare. Since CO₂ is a major greenhouse gas, accurate detection is key for tracking climate and indoor air quality. Nanocomposite-based sensors, made from a mix of organic and inorganic materials, show promise because they can be tuned for better sensitivity and selectivity. MoS₂, a two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenide, has good surface area and conductivity, and therefore serves as an excellent choice for gas adsorption and charge transfer. PEDOT:PSS, being a conductive polymer itself, guarantees mechanical flexibility, high optical transmittance, and good environmental stability to be used in the multilayer sensor design [3]. Also, Alq3 has been widely accepted as having all-around optoelectronic attributes, offering efficient electron transport and photoluminescence ability to scale the sensing performance via the charge modulation mechanism [4]. The combination of MoS₂, Alq3 and PEDOT:PSS as a single layered thin film might serve as novel routes for detection of CO₂ gas, bringing together the functions inherent in each chemical substance. Alq3, having electron transport and optoelectronic properties, might contribute to the charge carriers within the composite. Badamasi et al. [5] found MoS₂ with PEDOT:PSS to yield higher sensitivities and stabilities for ethanol detection than the respective individual components. Likewise, Zhang et al. [6] reported significantly enhanced response/recovery times from sensor structures that incorporated Alq3. Joshi et al. reviewed the theoretical and experimental aspects of TMDs in gas sensing applications, highlighting their sensitivity to various gases [9]. This research focuses on the development of nanocomposite thin films for the detection of CO2 in environmental and industrial monitoring. The characterization of the proposed device has been done on Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Current IV measurements under gas exposure. II. EXPERIMENTAL PREPARATION First the FTO coated glass substrate was rinsed with deionized (DI) water to remove any loose particles and surface contaminants. Afterwards prepared a dilute solution of a mild detergent in DI water. Submerged the FTO coated glass substrate in the detergent solution and it was gently scrub with a soft brush or a lint-free cloth for a few minutes. Again, rinsed the substrate thoroughly with DI water to remove any detergent residues. Then placed the FTO coated glass substrate in a beaker filled with DI water and ultrasonication was performed for 15-20 minutes to dislodge any remaining contaminants. Repeated the ultrasonic cleaning process using acetone and isopropyl alcohol (IPA) sequentially, for 15-20 minutes. Afterwards cleaned the substrate with fresh IPA to remove any remaining solvent residues. Following this a final rinsed was done using DI water. Once the substrate was cleaned, etching of the FTO-coated glass was done in the middle part of substrate. For etching we used 2M hydrochloric acid solution with zinc powder. The etching was carried out in a well-defined area of 2 mm x 1 cm, while the substrate dimensions were 1.5 cm x 1 cm. A layer of nanocomposite thin film was deposited after etching over the etched area of the substrate. A layer of the central part of the substrate about the region of 0.75 cm x 1 cm was covered in a single application. The preparation of nanocomposite thin films for gas sensing applications involved the fabrication of three separate solutions: MoS₂, Alq3 and PEDOT:PSS, which were then combined in a 1:1:1 ratio to form the final nanocomposite solution. Each solution was carefully prepared to ensure uniform dispersion and desired concentration. The molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) solution was prepared by dissolving 0.5 g MoS 2 powder in DMSO solution and mixed thoroughly using magnetic stirrer for 6 hours at 60 o C. Next Alq3 solution was prepared by dissolving 50 mg of Alq3 in 3 ml of DMSO solvent and mixed thoroughly using magnetic stirrer for 2 hours at room temperature. Both of the prepared sol was aged for 1 day. After ageing, both the solution mixed together with PEDOT:PSS solution in the ratio of 1:1:1 to form the final nanocomposite solution. The final solution mixed thoroughly using magnetic stirrer for 4 hours and aged for 1 day. After ageing, we deposited the layer of the nanocomposite sol over pre-etched substrate by spin coating mechanism for 3 times at 2500rpm for 30 sec afterwards annealing it at 45 ° C for 2 hours in vacuum for proper settlement of layer over the substrate. The fabricated proposed device [Fig. 1(b)] was then tested for structural and electrical properties. III. RESULT AND DISCUSSION A. FILM STUDY - STRUCTURAL Fig.2 (a) and Fig.2 (b) shows the 3D and 2D AFM image of Alq3, MoS 2 and PEDOT:PSS nanocomposite thin film for studying it’s surface morphology. The average roughness value for AFM film was assessed at 17.3284 nm, which signifies a very smooth, flat uniform surface with very little peaks or valleys, indicative of a real thin film of high quality. The X-Ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of Nanocomposite thin film deposited on the pre-etched substrate shown in Fig2 (c). The XRD peaks (002), (100) of MoS 2 correspond to the JCPDS card No. 37-1492. The XRD peaks (120), (122) of Alq 3 correspond to ICDD card No. 00-026-1550. Characteristic peaks for MoS2 at (002), (100) confirmed its hexagonal structure, which is essential in gas sensing due to its interaction with gas molecules [7]. The layered structure of MoS₂ is indicated by the (002) peak, and that structure is important for adsorption of gases and charge transport. The (100) peak refers to the in-plane arrangement of the MoS₂ layers; by doing so, it renders confirmation of the stability of the layers in the composite. Characteristic peaks for Alq3 at (120) and (122) confirm the crystalline nature of Alq3. Their presence indicates that Alq3 maintains its molecular structure after being incorporated into the nanocomposite film [8]. B. GAS SENSING STUDY OF NANOCOMPOSITE THIN FILM The device was tested in two setups at the CIR lab, MNNIT. First, with no CO₂ gas, the I-V curve showed a baseline current in the microampere range. In the second setup, the device was placed in a chamber where CO₂ gas was introduced using a cartridge [Fig. 3]. With CO₂ present, the current increased significantly, reaching the milliampere range [Fig. 4a]. This shows the nanocomposite thin film responds well to CO₂, indicating good sensitivity. A strong response was observed across a voltage range from -3V to 3V [Fig. 4b], which is calculated using the formula I (gas off) is the current response before CO₂ exposure, and I (gas on) is the current response while under CO₂ exposure. This also demonstrates the ability of the thin film nanocomposite for gas sensing application. C. ANALYSIS OF GAS SENSING RESPONSE AND MECHANISM The analysis of the I-V characteristics, both in the absence and presence of CO 2 gas, demonstrated a significant difference, indicating that the nanocomposite thin film effectively responds to CO 2 exposure. In the absence of CO 2 , the current response was recorded in the microampere range, which aligns with the expected behavior of a semiconductor material. This low current suggests minimal interaction with ambient gases, indicating a reduced concentration of charge carriers. Upon the introduction of CO 2 into the chamber, there was a marked increase in current, transitioning to the milliampere range from microampere range as shown in Fig.4 (a). This indicates a significant alteration in the electrical properties of the nanocomposite thin film in response to CO 2 exposure, suggesting high sensitivity to the CO 2 gas. This interaction could elevate the charge carrier concentration, enhancing the film’s conductivity and resulting in an increased current. The distinctive properties of the nanocomposite thin film, including its high surface area and the synergistic effects of its components (such as metal nanoparticles or conductive polymers), likely amplify its sensitivity to CO 2 , culminating in a more pronounced increase in current. CONCLUSION The experiment showed that the nanocomposite thin film can detect CO2 gas. When CO2 is present, the current increases from microamps to milliamps, which means the material is sensitive to the gas. This suggests the film interacts with CO2—likely through surface reactions and gas adsorption—making it a good candidate for CO2 sensing applications. Declarations Funding The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. Competing Interest The authors declare no competing interest. Ethics And Consent to participate Not applicable. Consent To Publish Declaration Not applicable. Data availability Not applicable. Clinical Trial Registration Not Applicable. Authors’ contributions The device structure was conceptualized and described by the Dr. Shweta Tripathi. Kiran Khaitan fabricated the device and wrote the manuscript under the supervision of the Dr. Shweta Tripathi. All authors reviewed and approved the final manuscript. Acknowledgement The device structure was conceptualized and described by the Dr. Shweta Tripathi. Kiran Khaitan fabricated the device and wrote the manuscript under the supervision of the Dr. Shweta Tripathi. All authors reviewed and approved the final manuscript. References C. J. Chan, M. J. Shields, and J. A. Mueller, "CO₂: Its Role in Climate and Air Quality," Environmental Science & Technology, vol. 49, no. 3, pp. 1452–1460, 2015. M. Donarelli and L. Ottaviano, "2D Materials for Gas Sensing Applications: A Review on Graphene Oxide, MoS₂, WS₂ and Phosphorene," Sensors, vol. 18, no. 11, p. 3638, Oct. 2018. doi.org/10.3390/s18113638. S. Kirchmeyer and K. Reuter, "Scientific Importance, Properties and Growing Applications of Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)," J. Mater. Chem., vol. 15, no. 21, pp. 2077–2088, 2005. C. W. Tang and S. A. VanSlyke, "Organic Electroluminescent Diodes," Applied Physics Letters, vol. 51, no. 12, pp. 913–915, 1987. S. M. Badamasi et al., "Improved ethanol gas sensing performance using MoS₂/PEDOT:PSS nanocomposites," Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, vol. 256, pp. 320–327, 2018. J. Zhang et al., "Enhanced gas sensing performance of Alq3-based composite thin films," Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics, vol. 31, no. 18, pp. 15693–15701, 2020. W. Li, M. Shahbazi, K. Xing, T. Tesfamichael, N. Motta, and D.-C. Qi, “Highly Sensitive NO₂ Gas Sensors Based on MoS₂@MoO₃ Magnetic Heterostructure,” Nanomaterials, vol. 12, no. 8, Art. no. 1303, Apr. 2022. doi: 10.3390/nano12081303.. N. A. Abd and O. A. Ibrahim, “Fabrication of Carbon Quantum Dots/Alq3 Layer for NO₂ Gas Sensor,” Iraqi Journal of Physics, vol. 22, no. 1, pp. 94–98, Jun. 2024. doi: 10.30723/ijp.v22i1.1214. N. Joshi, M. L. Braunger, F. M. Shimizu, A. Riul Jr, and O. N. Oliveira Jr, "2D Transition Metal Dichalcogenides for Gas Sensing Applications: From Theoretical Predictions to Experimental Validation," in Nanosensors for Environmental Applications, Springer, 2020, pp. 131–155, doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-38101-1_4. Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 25 Jul, 2025 Reviews received at journal 24 Jul, 2025 Reviews received at journal 18 Jul, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 17 Jul, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 17 Jul, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 13 Jul, 2025 Reviewers invited by journal 13 Jul, 2025 Editor invited by journal 13 Jul, 2025 Editor assigned by journal 12 Jul, 2025 Submission checks completed at journal 12 Jul, 2025 First submitted to journal 07 Jul, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-7067312","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":486793955,"identity":"3eb0ab69-e45d-4350-8de2-1876b2adf437","order_by":0,"name":"KIRAN KHAITAN","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"KIRAN","middleName":"","lastName":"KHAITAN","suffix":""},{"id":486793959,"identity":"3aa1c62b-90d4-47fc-8f44-77e0ea0a08e3","order_by":1,"name":"SHWETA TRIPATHI","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAAtUlEQVRIiWNgGAWjYDACCSBOqAASzBA+DxFagEoTzoC0MJOihbGNAWENQSA/u//Yh4fztuWZs/MfYPhRwyBjTkiLwZ3DzDMSt90utmxmZmDsOcbAY9lASItEMjMDUEvihsNAh/E2MPAYHCDksBkgLXMgWhj/EqOF4QZISwNECzNRthjcSDZmSDgG1mJwWOaYBDEOS3zM+KMGqOX8wYcP39TY2BN2GDI4AEkMo2AUjIJRMAooBgD65Tt1PRMG4gAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==","orcid":"","institution":"Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"SHWETA","middleName":"","lastName":"TRIPATHI","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-07-07 16:13:10","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7067312/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7067312/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":87019973,"identity":"cd9737e4-c45c-460a-b719-73d9a1332ac3","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-07-18 10:55:17","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":98788,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e(a) Proposed structure of device (b) Real view after device fabrication.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7067312/v1/21dee77838a48363cdb3a2ac.png"},{"id":87019224,"identity":"9719b156-9c02-4a8e-ac97-13d7555e7b07","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-07-18 10:47:17","extension":"png","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":455607,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eAFM of MoS\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e, Alq3 and PEDOT:PSS nanocomposite thin film (a) 3D image (b) 2D image; (c) XRD of nanocomposite thin film.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"2.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7067312/v1/ab7ef434da427a4556bd6013.png"},{"id":87019228,"identity":"72c01845-7010-47d5-b0f4-abccbe138cd5","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-07-18 10:47:17","extension":"png","order_by":3,"title":"Figure 3","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":728666,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eExperimental setup for gas sensing measurements of nanocomposite thin film. (a) Cylindrical chamber (b) CO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e gas supply system, and probe measurement setup\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"3.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7067312/v1/fa8fb2c74cf659f58264b31c.png"},{"id":87019974,"identity":"8b19a39c-9241-4ce0-899b-454eb9153699","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-07-18 10:55:17","extension":"png","order_by":4,"title":"Figure 4","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":301713,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003e(a) I-V characteristics of the nanocomposite thin film in the absence and presence of CO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e gas. (b) Response variation at particular CO2 concentration with voltage variation from -1.5V to 1.5V.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"4.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7067312/v1/d1d80ab0454008bbd80c73ce.png"},{"id":87021171,"identity":"2e7aebbb-d18a-4f4c-90f9-745207cc025e","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-07-18 11:11:23","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":2060185,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7067312/v1/1b00eda6-5b06-476d-8c78-4576a44e7f72.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"MoS2, Alq3 and PEDOT:PSS Based Nanocomposite For CO2 Gas Sensing Application","fulltext":[{"header":"I. INTRODUCTION","content":"\u003cp\u003eGas sensors are important for keeping our environment safe, protecting workers, and supporting healthcare. Since CO₂ is a major greenhouse gas, accurate detection is key for tracking climate and indoor air quality. Nanocomposite-based sensors, made from a mix of organic and inorganic materials, show promise because they can be tuned for better sensitivity and selectivity. MoS₂, a two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenide, has good surface area and conductivity, and therefore serves as an excellent choice for gas adsorption and charge transfer. PEDOT:PSS, being a conductive polymer itself, guarantees mechanical flexibility, high optical transmittance, and good environmental stability to be used in the multilayer sensor design [3]. Also, Alq3 has been widely accepted as having all-around optoelectronic attributes, offering efficient electron transport and photoluminescence ability to scale the sensing performance via the charge modulation mechanism [4]. \u0026nbsp;The combination of MoS₂, Alq3 and PEDOT:PSS as a single layered thin film might serve as novel routes for detection of CO₂ gas, bringing together the functions inherent in each chemical substance. Alq3, having electron transport and optoelectronic properties, might contribute to the charge carriers within the composite. Badamasi et al. [5] found MoS₂ with PEDOT:PSS to yield higher sensitivities and stabilities for ethanol detection than the respective individual components. Likewise, Zhang et al. [6] reported significantly enhanced response/recovery times from sensor structures that incorporated Alq3. Joshi et al. reviewed the theoretical and experimental aspects of TMDs in gas sensing applications, highlighting their sensitivity to various gases [9]. This research focuses on the development of nanocomposite thin films for the detection of CO2 in environmental and industrial monitoring. The characterization of the proposed device has been done on Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Current IV measurements under gas exposure.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"II. EXPERIMENTAL PREPARATION","content":"\u003cp\u003eFirst the FTO coated glass substrate was rinsed with deionized (DI) water to remove any loose particles and surface contaminants. Afterwards prepared a dilute solution of a mild detergent in DI water. Submerged the FTO coated glass substrate in the detergent solution and it was gently scrub with a soft brush or a lint-free cloth for a few minutes. Again, rinsed the substrate thoroughly with DI water to remove any detergent residues. Then placed the FTO coated glass substrate in a beaker filled with DI water and ultrasonication was performed for 15-20 minutes to dislodge any remaining contaminants. Repeated the ultrasonic cleaning process using acetone and isopropyl alcohol (IPA) sequentially, for 15-20 minutes. Afterwards cleaned the substrate with fresh IPA to remove any remaining solvent residues. \u0026nbsp; Following this a final rinsed was done using DI water. Once the substrate was cleaned, etching of the FTO-coated glass was done in the middle part of substrate. For etching we used 2M hydrochloric acid solution with zinc powder. The etching was carried out in a well-defined area of 2 mm x 1 cm, while the substrate dimensions were 1.5 cm x 1 cm. A layer of nanocomposite thin film was deposited after etching over the etched area of the substrate. A layer of the central part of the substrate about the region of 0.75 cm x 1 cm was covered in a single application. The preparation of nanocomposite thin films for gas sensing applications involved the fabrication of three separate solutions: MoS₂, Alq3 and PEDOT:PSS, which were then combined in a 1:1:1 ratio to form the final nanocomposite solution. Each solution was carefully prepared to ensure uniform dispersion and desired concentration. The molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) solution was prepared by dissolving 0.5 g MoS\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e powder in DMSO solution and mixed thoroughly using magnetic stirrer for 6 hours at 60\u003csup\u003eo\u003c/sup\u003eC. Next Alq3 solution was prepared by dissolving 50 mg of Alq3 in 3 ml of DMSO solvent and mixed thoroughly using magnetic stirrer for 2 hours at room temperature. Both of the prepared sol was aged for 1 day. \u0026nbsp; After ageing, both the solution mixed together with PEDOT:PSS solution in the ratio of 1:1:1 to form the final nanocomposite solution. The final solution mixed thoroughly using magnetic stirrer for 4 hours and aged for 1 day. After ageing, we deposited the layer of the nanocomposite sol over pre-etched substrate by spin coating mechanism for 3 times at 2500rpm for 30 sec afterwards annealing it at 45\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026deg;\u003c/strong\u003eC for 2 hours in vacuum for proper settlement of layer over the substrate. The fabricated proposed device [Fig. 1(b)] was then tested for structural and electrical properties.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"III. RESULT AND DISCUSSION ","content":"\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA. FILM STUDY - STRUCTURAL\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;Fig.2 (a) and Fig.2 (b) shows the 3D and 2D AFM image of Alq3, MoS\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e and PEDOT:PSS nanocomposite thin film for studying it\u0026rsquo;s surface morphology. The average roughness value for AFM film was assessed at 17.3284 nm, which signifies a very smooth, flat uniform surface with very little peaks or valleys, indicative of a real thin film of high quality. The X-Ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of Nanocomposite thin film deposited on the pre-etched substrate shown in Fig2 (c).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe XRD peaks (002), (100) of MoS\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e correspond to the JCPDS card No. 37-1492. The XRD peaks (120), (122) of Alq\u003csub\u003e3\u003c/sub\u003e correspond to ICDD card No. 00-026-1550. Characteristic peaks for MoS2 at (002), (100) confirmed its hexagonal structure, which is essential in gas sensing due to its interaction with gas molecules [7]. The layered structure of MoS₂ is indicated by the (002) peak, and that structure is important for adsorption of gases and charge transport. The (100) peak refers to the in-plane arrangement of the MoS₂ layers; by doing so, it renders confirmation of the stability of the layers in the composite. Characteristic peaks for Alq3 at (120) and (122) confirm the crystalline nature of Alq3. Their presence indicates that Alq3 maintains its molecular structure after being incorporated into the nanocomposite film [8].\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eB. GAS SENSING STUDY OF NANOCOMPOSITE THIN FILM\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe device was tested in two setups at the CIR lab, MNNIT. First, with no CO₂ gas, the I-V curve showed a baseline current in the microampere range. In the second setup, the device was placed in a chamber where CO₂ gas was introduced using a cartridge [Fig. 3]. With CO₂ present, the current increased significantly, reaching the milliampere range [Fig. 4a]. This shows the nanocomposite thin film responds well to CO₂, indicating good sensitivity. A strong response was observed across a voltage range from -3V to 3V \u0026nbsp;[Fig. 4b], which is calculated using the formula\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg 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\" width=\"818\" height=\"69\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI (gas off) is the current response before CO₂ exposure, and I (gas on) is the current response while under CO₂ exposure. This also demonstrates the ability of the thin film nanocomposite for gas sensing application.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eC. ANALYSIS OF GAS SENSING RESPONSE AND MECHANISM\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe analysis of the I-V characteristics, both in the absence and presence of CO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e gas, demonstrated a significant difference, indicating that the nanocomposite thin film effectively responds to CO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e exposure. In the absence of CO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e, the current response was recorded in the microampere range, which aligns with the expected behavior of a semiconductor material.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis low current suggests minimal interaction with ambient gases, indicating a reduced concentration of charge carriers. Upon the introduction of CO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e into the chamber, there was a marked increase in current, transitioning to the milliampere range from microampere range as shown in Fig.4 (a). This indicates a significant alteration in the electrical properties of the nanocomposite thin film in response to CO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e exposure, suggesting high sensitivity to the CO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e gas. This interaction could elevate the charge carrier concentration, enhancing the film\u0026rsquo;s conductivity and resulting in an increased current. The distinctive properties of the nanocomposite thin film, including its high surface area and the synergistic effects of its components (such as metal nanoparticles or conductive polymers), likely amplify its sensitivity to CO\u003csub\u003e2\u003c/sub\u003e, culminating in a more pronounced increase in current.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"CONCLUSION","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe experiment showed that the nanocomposite thin film can detect CO2 gas. When CO2 is present, the current increases from microamps to milliamps, which means the material is sensitive to the gas. This suggests the film interacts with CO2\u0026mdash;likely through surface reactions and gas adsorption\u0026mdash;making it a good candidate for CO2 sensing applications.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunding\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompeting Interest\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors declare no competing interest.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthics And Consent to participate\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot applicable.\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConsent To Publish Declaration\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot applicable.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eData availability\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot applicable.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eClinical Trial Registration\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot Applicable.\u003cstrong\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthors\u0026rsquo; contributions\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe device structure was conceptualized and described by the Dr. Shweta Tripathi. Kiran Khaitan fabricated the device and wrote the manuscript under the supervision of the Dr. Shweta Tripathi. All authors reviewed and approved the final manuscript.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAcknowledgement\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe device structure was conceptualized and described by the Dr. Shweta Tripathi. Kiran Khaitan fabricated the device and wrote the manuscript under the supervision of the Dr. Shweta Tripathi. All authors reviewed and approved the final manuscript.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eC. J. Chan, M. J. Shields, and J. A. Mueller, \u0026quot;CO₂: Its Role in Climate and Air Quality,\u0026quot; Environmental Science \u0026amp; Technology, vol. 49, no. 3, pp. 1452\u0026ndash;1460, 2015.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eM. Donarelli and L. Ottaviano, \u0026quot;2D Materials for Gas Sensing Applications: A Review on Graphene Oxide, MoS₂, WS₂ and Phosphorene,\u0026quot; Sensors, vol. 18, no. 11, p. 3638, Oct. 2018. doi.org/10.3390/s18113638.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eS. Kirchmeyer and K. Reuter, \u0026quot;Scientific Importance, Properties and Growing Applications of Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene),\u0026quot; J. Mater. Chem., vol. 15, no. 21, pp. 2077\u0026ndash;2088, 2005.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eC. W. Tang and S. A. VanSlyke, \u0026quot;Organic Electroluminescent Diodes,\u0026quot; Applied Physics Letters, vol. 51, no. 12, pp. 913\u0026ndash;915, 1987.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eS. M. Badamasi et al., \u0026quot;Improved ethanol gas sensing performance using MoS₂/PEDOT:PSS nanocomposites,\u0026quot; Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, vol. 256, pp. 320\u0026ndash;327, 2018.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJ. Zhang et al., \u0026quot;Enhanced gas sensing performance of Alq3-based composite thin films,\u0026quot; Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics, vol. 31, no. 18, pp. 15693\u0026ndash;15701, 2020.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eW. Li, M. Shahbazi, K. Xing, T. Tesfamichael, N. Motta, and D.-C. Qi, \u0026ldquo;Highly Sensitive NO₂ Gas Sensors Based on MoS₂@MoO₃ Magnetic Heterostructure,\u0026rdquo; Nanomaterials, vol. 12, no. 8, Art. no. 1303, Apr. 2022. doi: 10.3390/nano12081303..\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eN. A. Abd and O. A. Ibrahim, \u0026ldquo;Fabrication of Carbon Quantum Dots/Alq3 Layer for NO₂ Gas Sensor,\u0026rdquo; Iraqi Journal of Physics, vol. 22, no. 1, pp. 94\u0026ndash;98, Jun. 2024. doi: 10.30723/ijp.v22i1.1214.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eN. Joshi, M. L. Braunger, F. M. Shimizu, A. Riul Jr, and O. N. Oliveira Jr, \u0026quot;2D Transition Metal Dichalcogenides for Gas Sensing Applications: From Theoretical Predictions to Experimental Validation,\u0026quot; in Nanosensors for Environmental Applications, Springer, 2020, pp. 131\u0026ndash;155, doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-38101-1_4.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":true,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"
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