ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Morphology-tuned silver microrods decorated molybdenum disulfide nanocomposite for enhanced room temperature benzene sensing

Ruchika Thayil and Saidi Reddy Parne

Department of Applied Sciences, National Institute of Technology Goa, Cuncolim, India

E-mail: ruchika@nitgoa.ac.in

Received: 3 September 2025  Accepted: 27 October 2025

Abstract:

Benzene gas is an atmospheric pollutant encountered in various sources, including automotive emissions, industrial flue gases, indoor pollutants, and the combustion of organic waste. It poses a serious risk to human health due to its toxic nature, making it a potentially hazardous substance. It is therefore crucial to monitor benzene concentrations to minimize its impact on both the environment and public health. Molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) has been intensively studied for gas sensing. This can be attributed to its enhanced surface reactivity, large surface area, and improved carrier mobility. Herein, we report superior room temperature benzene sensing with biosynthesized silver microrods (Ag) decorated molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂). The biosynthesized Ag were synthesized using Moringa oleifera leaf extract. The fabricated sensors based on Ag-decorated MoS₂ were fabricated, which showed excellent sensing response, with sensing performance (ΔR/R_air%) towards 5 ppm of benzene of around 100%. The results indicate that the formation of hybrid nanostructures improves MoS₂’s poor sensing response to benzene sensing response and thereby enhances the overall performance. These findings show that Ag-decorated MoS₂ holds good potential for sensing benzene gas at room temperature.

Keywords: Molybdenum disulfide; 2D materials; MoS2-nanocomposite; Gas sensing; Benzene

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-025-04482-x

Chemical Papers 80 (2) 1691–1698 (2026)