Gas Sensitivity Variations of Composites of ZnO/Banana Peel Derived Graphitic Carbon as Measured in Methanol Vapor

• Author(s): P. Samarasekara; P. P. W. Wickramasinghe ; P. I. Shanika ; R. M. A. U. Weerasooriya ; P. G. D. C. K. Karunarathna
• Paper ID: 1715380
• Page: 1914-1920
• Published Date: 24-03-2026
• Published In: Iconic Research And Engineering Journals
• Publisher: IRE Journals
• e-ISSN: 2456-8880
• Volume/Issue: Volume 9 Issue 9 March-2026

Abstract

Gas sensing studies of biomass derived graphitic carbon is hardly found. Films of composites of ZnO and carbon particles derived from dried banana peels were fabricated by doctor blade method. The mass ratio between ZnO and carbon was varied to optimize the gas sensitivity of films measured in 200 ppm of methanol vapor. According to XRD measurements, graphitic carbon has been crystallized. Furthermore, the crystallite size, strain and dislocation density alter with the addition of ZnO. According to XRFS spectrums, metals such as Fe, Cr, Co and Ni were identified in carbon powder. The interactions of these metals with carbon powder at higher activation temperatures are attributed to the formation of graphitic carbon. According to UV-visible spectrums, the optical band gap gradually decreased with the addition of ZnO to carbon particles. The gas sensitivity first increased with the addition of ZnO up to 3% of ZnO, thereafter the gas sensitivity gradually decreased with ZnO concentration. The highest gas sensitivity was 17% at 3% of ZnO. In addition, the response time varies with the addition of ZnO to carbon.

Keywords

ZnO, Graphitic Carbon, Gas Sensitivity, Methanol

Citations

IRE Journals:
P. Samarasekara, P. P. W. Wickramasinghe , P. I. Shanika , R. M. A. U. Weerasooriya , P. G. D. C. K. Karunarathna "Gas Sensitivity Variations of Composites of ZnO/Banana Peel Derived Graphitic Carbon as Measured in Methanol Vapor" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 9 Issue 9 2026 Page 1914-1920

IEEE:
P. Samarasekara, P. P. W. Wickramasinghe , P. I. Shanika , R. M. A. U. Weerasooriya , P. G. D. C. K. Karunarathna "Gas Sensitivity Variations of Composites of ZnO/Banana Peel Derived Graphitic Carbon as Measured in Methanol Vapor" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 9(9)