Development of a greenhouse gas sensor based on OH-free tellurite glasses doped with rare-earth ions

• Grant number: 24/22354-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: May 01, 2025
• End date: April 30, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Inorganic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Danilo Manzani
• Grantee: Gaston Lozano Calderón
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química de São Carlos (IQSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 24/04675-7 - Remote Advanced Infrared optical fibers Sensors based on Soft glasses (RAISES), AP.R

Abstract

The mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions to sustainable levels is critical since they affect air quality and global warming. Several efforts are made to develop efficient and precise detectors to mitigate these gas emissions. This research project aims to create an advanced greenhouse gas sensor employing OH-free tellurite glasses doped with rare-earth ions. The first step of this project is mastering the fabrication of these glasses to achieve wide near- and middle-infrared transparency windows, as well as efficient emissions in this region, which are critical for effective gas sensing applications. Besides, the project will evaluate the optimization of the glass's shape to improve the collection of near- and middle-infrared spectra by fabricating a tellurite glass lens. A functional gas-sensing device will be developed once these first objectives have been set. This project provides innovative solutions that align with global sustainability development goals.