Development of low-power consumption gas sensors based on halide perovskites-loaded WO3 nanostructures

• Grant number: 21/07214-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research
• Start date: May 24, 2022
• End date: March 23, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Luís Fernando da Silva
• Grantee: Luís Fernando da Silva
• Host Investigator: 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 research grant: 13/07296-2 - CDMF - Center for the Development of Functional Materials, AP.CEPID

Abstract

The development of efficient sensor devices could make air pollution monitoring more accessible and may be vital in accelerating much-needed reductions in air pollution. Gas sensors based on metal oxides (MOXs) have drawn attention due to their performance in detecting various analytes, especially harmful species. The traditional gas sensors are based on SnO2, In2O3, and WO3, which have commonly operated at around 200oC; this high-power consumption needed has become a barrier for their commercial application. Thus, sensing materials working at temperatures close to ambient are promising alternatives to achieving low-energy consumption devices, facilitating their commercialization. Among the MOXs exhibiting superior performance as sensing material, the tungsten trioxide (WO3) has been highlighted. The WO3 has been successfully activated by ultraviolet (UV)-light, however, the fast recombination of photogenerated carriers reduces its sensing activity. The loading/decoration of WO3 with lead halide perovskites can be an efficient strategy to improve the sensing performance. These perovskites exhibit very interesting properties, mainly long carrier lifetimes. In this way, we herein propose the preparation of bare WO3 and lead halide (APbX3) perovskites loaded WO3 films for application as sensing materials for detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) vapors. The samples will be investigated using conventional and advanced techniques. With regards to the gas sensing performance, electrical measurements will be performed with and without light (visible, or UV) radiation using different analytes, and humidity percentages. At the end of this project, it is expected the development of efficient sensing platforms operating at relatively low-temperature (with or without light activation). This research project will be developed in cooperation with Professor Eduard Llobet, full professor at the Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Spain. (AU)