Facile synthesis of bulk SnO2 and ZnO tetrapod based graphene nanocomposites for optical and sensing application

Abstract In the present investigation Tin oxide(SnO 2 )/Graphene, Zinc oxide tetrapods(ZnO-T)/Graphene and SnO 2 /ZnO-T/Graphene nanocomposites were synthesized using simple chemical route from a mixture of few layer graphene (FLG) derived from re-exfoliation of expanded graphite and SnO 2 and ZnO-T nanostructures via sonication and centrifugation. The resultant composites structures were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Scanning electron microscope (SEM), High resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) and Photoluminescence spectroscopy. The XRD studies reveal crystallographic phases of all the three compounds exist in nanocomposite. The SEM demonstrated SnO 2 and ZnO-T were uniformly distributed with few layer graphene (FLG). HRTEM micrograph reveals SnO 2 and ZnO-T were incorporated in between graphene layers and resultant nanocomposites have advantages of both micro and nanostructures. All three types of nanocomposites were fascinating morphological structures which altered both optical absorbance and photoluminescence properties. The initial investigation suggests that all metal oxide graphene nanostructure composites well responding as humidity sensor in different humidity environment.