Gas sensors based on SnO2-CuO: advanced studies in situ and operando

• Grant number: 12/11139-7
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): September 01, 2012
• Effective date (End): February 29, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal researcher: Marcelo Ornaghi Orlandi
• Grantee: Pedro Henrique Suman
• Home Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 08/57872-1 - National Institute for Materials Science in Nanotechnology, AP.TEM
• Associated scholarship(s): 13/18511-1 - Chemical sensor characterization of pure and hybrid nanostructured materials based on tin oxide, BE.EP.DR

Abstract

In this research project it is proposed to carry out a systematic study to understand the mechanisms of solid-gas interaction that occur on the surface of pure and hybrid tin oxide nanostructures (SnO2-CuO and/or SnO2-CuO-Pt) which are responsible for the properties of these materials as gas sensor. Materials will be synthesized by the microwave-assisted solvothermal method and then will be characterized by X-ray diffraction, high resolution scanning and transmission electron microscopy and specific surface area measurement. The materials will be also characterized in respect to their behavior as gas sensor in the presence of oxidizing and reducing gases (e.g, NO2, CO, H2) at low concentrations (in ppm scale) and at operating temperatures between 100 and 400 °C. The great challenge of the work is the in situ characterization of nanostructures by Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Spectroscopy and X-ray absorption near edge structure techniques that will be performed simultaneously with electrical measurements under similar conditions of sensor operation. The originality of the work is to understand the phenomena responsible for the responses of materials through in situ and operating measurements and, thereafter, the possibility to develop sensor devices that are faster, more sensitive and selective with possible technological applications.