Processing of graphene/Fe2O3 composites: characterization and development of highly performance gas sensors

• Grant number: 21/12684-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Start date: May 23, 2022
• End date: May 19, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Elson Longo da Silva
• Grantee: Ariadne Cristina Catto
• Supervisor: Eduard Llobet
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Universitat Rovira i Virgili (URV), Spain
• Associated to the scholarship: 18/18208-0 - a-Fe2O3/g-C3N4 Heterostructures: Preparation, Characterization and Gas-sensing Properties, BP.PD

Abstract

Air pollution has become one of the most important environmental issues facing the development of industry and technology. The excessive generation of toxic and hazardous gases can be a potentially dangerous for human health. As a result, continuous and real-time monitoring of a variety of gases in the environment is a critical need. Several metal oxides semiconductor (MOS) have been used to detect toxic gases. Nevertheless, their poor selectivity and high vulnerability to humidity associated with the relatively high operating temperatures are the main disadvantages of the traditional MOS for this application. In this context, graphene/metal oxide composites have been studied as a promising approach for overcoming these drawbacks. Based on these arguments, we proposed the processing of graphene, ±-Fe2O3, and graphene/±-Fe2O3 composites to detect hazardous gases, especially NOx and H2S. The graphene, and pure hematite will be prepared via liquid phase exfoliated (LPE), and hydrothermal method. Their respective composite (graphene/±-±-Fe2O3) will be obtained via sonochemical method. The as-prepared composites will be characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Electrical measurements will be carried out for evaluation of the gas sensing properties. Additionally, the influence of environmental variations such as humidity and temperature, in the sensing properties of as-prepared composites will be systematically investigated. This BEPE internship will be supervised by Prof. Eduard Llobet, full professor at the Universitat Rovira I Virgili, Spain. (AU)

Scientific publications

(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)

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)