Nickel oxide-graphene oxide (NiO-GO), zinc oxide-graphene oxide (ZnO-GO) and bismuth oxide-graphene oxide (Bi2O3-GO) metal oxide-graphene oxide nanocomposite (MO-GO NC) sensors, operable at room temperature, were synthesized via a simple and cost-effective microwave-assisted combustion method for chemiresistive gas sensor applications. From the measured structural, morphological, and elemental detection properties, the sensors are found capable of detecting various gases. The Bi2O3-GO NC sensor exhibited excellent response over NiO-GO (similar to 20 at 50 ppm) and ZnO-GO NC (similar to 60 at 50 ppm) sensors for detecting NH3. The response of the Bi2O3-GO NC sensor at 50 ppm NH3 in just 14 s operation duration was -81.23, which is improved 25-fold and 13-fold compared to pristine GO sensors. Additionally, the as-developed Bi2O3-GO NC sensor demonstrates outstanding repeatability and recovery kinetics, attributed to porosity and the combined effects of MO and GO. The sensing mechanism of the Bi2O3-GO NC gas sensors is proposed herein. The superior sensing performance, including quick response and recovery of the Bi2O3-GO NC sensor is attributed to favorable charge transfer across the Bi2O3 and GO interface. The significance of relative humidity on sensing potential of the Bi2O3-GO NC sensor has also been studied and the sensor is confirmed to be unaffected by relative humidity. (C) 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.