Functionalization of graphene-based gas sensors with nanoparticles for ethylene sensing

Master Thesis (2026)
Author(s)

R.J. Vos (TU Delft - Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science)

Contributor(s)

S. Vollebregt – Mentor (TU Delft - Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science)

M. Husain – Mentor (TU Delft - Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science)

F. Arroyo Cardoso – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science)

Faculty
Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science
More Info
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Publication Year
2026
Language
English
Graduation Date
19-05-2026
Awarding Institution
Delft University of Technology
Programme
Electrical Engineering
Faculty
Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science
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Abstract

Ethylene (C2H4) is an important volatile organic compound (VOC) with applications in agriculture, environmental monitoring, and industrial processes. In this work, graphene was investigated as a material for gas sensing applications. To improve the selectivity of graphene toward ethylene, the graphene surface was functionalized using nanoparticles. Graphene-based sensor devices were successfully fabricated and subsequently characterized using Raman spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and electrical measurements. The characterization results confirmed the successful fabrication of graphene devices and demonstrated that the nanoparticle functionalization process caused limited damage to the graphene. Gas sensing measurements further showed that both pristine and nanoparticle-functionalized graphene devices were capable of detecting ethylene gas. However, within the conditions investigated in this work, the selected nanoparticle functionalizations did not
result in an improvement in ethylene sensitivity compared to non-functionalized graphene. Future work could focus on investigating alternative nanoparticle material or operating the sensors at elevated temperatures.

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