Gas sensors based on n-type semiconductors operating at room temperature: investigation of their performance and mechanisms involved

• Grant number: 22/02927-3
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Initial Project
• Start date: August 01, 2023
• End date: July 31, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Condensed Matter Physics
• Principal Investigator: Luís Fernando da Silva
• Grantee: Luís Fernando da Silva
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Jean-Claude Mpeko ; Marcio Daldin Teodoro ; Waldir Avansi Junior
• Associated scholarship(s): 25/07284-1 - ZnO/SnO2 Heterostructures: Microstructural Characterization and Sensor Performance Evaluation, BP.IC; 24/13181-8 - Characterization of Electrical and Photoluminescent Properties of SnO2/WO3 Nanoheterostructures, BP.MS; 23/09790-6 - Gas sensors based on metal semiconducting oxides heterostructured: investigation of microstructural and electrical properties, BP.DD

Abstract

Gas sensors have been increasingly essential in the areas of health and safety. Resistive gas sensors based on nanostructured metal semiconductor oxides (MOXs) stand out due to their high sensitivity and stability. Their main disadvantage lies in their selectivity, sensitivity to moisture, and relatively high operating temperatures. The formation of nanoheterostructures has allowed to obtain interesting properties, in addition to enabling their operation at mild temperatures. Photoactivation has been an alternative that also allows sensors to work at room temperature, in addition to enhancing their performance. However, few studies are dedicated to the study of the photoactivation process, especially in the description of the mechanisms involved. This project will be conducted at the Department of Physics - UFSCar, in a line of research that is being implemented. The nanostructures will be synthesized via the polymeric precursor method and chemical vapor deposition, which allow obtaining materials in a controlled and reproducible way. N-type semiconductors ZnO, SnO2, and WO3, and their heterostructures will be prepared and investigated as gas sensors, especially BTEX, operating at temperatures close to ambient (with or without photoactivation). The characterization will be carried out by conventional and advanced techniques. Electrical measurements will allow investigating the sensor performance of samples exposed to different analytes, in addition to the influence of photoactivation. One of the main challenges of this project will be to understand the mechanisms involved in the sensor process. For this, "in-situ and operando" analyzes will be carried out to investigate the electronic structure of the sensor samples. At the end of this project, it is expected to obtain efficient sensors operating at room-temperature. (AU)

Scientific publications

(4)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

DA SILVA, GELSON T. S. T.; LOPES, OSMANDO F.; CATTO, ARIADNE C.; PATROCINIO, ANTONIO OTAVIO T.; MESQUITA, ALEXANDRE; RIBEIRO, CAUE; AVANSI JR, WALDIR; DA SILVA, LUIS F.. Long-and short-range structure of SnO2 nanoparticles: Synthesis and photo (electro)catalytic activity. Materials Chemistry and Physics, v. 305, p. 9-pg., 2023-06-01. (21/12684-8, 22/10255-5, 22/02927-3, 18/18208-0, 13/07296-2)

DA SILVA, LUIS F.; LUCCHINI, MATTIA A.; CATTO, ARIADNE C.; AVANSI JR., WALDIR; BERNARDINI, SANDRINE; AGUIR, KHALIFA; NIEDERBERGER, MARKUS; LONGO, ELSON. The Role of Zn Ions in the Structural, Surface, and Gas-Sensing Properties of SnO₂:Zn Nanocrystals Synthesized via a Microwave-Assisted Route. SENSORS, v. 24, n. 1, p. 13-pg., 2024-01-01. (13/09573-3, 13/07296-2, 22/02927-3, 15/20124-1)

GUELL, FRANK; GALDAMEZ-MARTINEZ, ANDRES; MARTINEZ-ALANIS, PAULINA R.; CATTO, ARIADNE C.; DA SILVA, LUIS F.; MASTELARO, VALMOR R.; SANTANA, GUILLERMO; DUTT, ATEET. ZnO-based nanomaterials approach for photocatalytic and sensing applications: recent progress and trends. MATERIALS ADVANCES, v. 4, n. 17, p. 24-pg., 2023-07-10. (22/02927-3, 13/07296-2, 18/18208-0)

CATTO, ARIADNE C.; BERNARDINI, SANDRINE; AGUIR, KHALIFA; LONGO, ELSON; DA SILVA, LUIS F.. In-situ hydrothermal synthesis of oriented hematite nanorods for sub- ppm level detection of ozone gas. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, v. 947, p. 5-pg., 2023-03-09. (21/12684-8, 22/02927-3, 18/18208-0, 13/07296-2)