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Highly sensitive and selective trimethylamine sensor using one-dimensional ZnO-Cr2O3 hetero-nanostructures
Hyung-Sik Woo1, Chan Woong Na, Il-Doo Kim
1Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Korea University, Anam-Dong, Seongbuk-Gu, Seoul 136-713, Republic of Korea.
Nanotechnology
|May 30, 2012
Summary
This study presents a new method for highly selective trimethylamine (TMA) detection using chromium(III) oxide (Cr(2)O(3)) nanoparticles on zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowires. This approach significantly enhances sensitivity for detecting TMA gas.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Chemical Sensing
Background:
- Trimethylamine (TMA) is a key indicator gas for fish spoilage and certain diseases.
- Developing selective and sensitive sensors for TMA remains a challenge in gas detection technology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a highly selective and sensitive gas sensor for trimethylamine (TMA) detection.
- To investigate the effect of decorating n-type ZnO nanowire (NW) networks with p-type Cr(2)O(3) nanoparticles on gas sensing properties.
Main Methods:
- Decoration of ZnO NWs with discrete semielliptical Cr(2)O(3) nanoparticles (3-8 nm) via thermal evaporation of CrCl(2) at 630 °C.
- Uniform coating of ZnO NWs with a continuous Cr(2)O(3) shell layer (30-40 nm) at 670 °C.
- Gas sensing measurements at 400 °C to evaluate responses to various gases, including TMA, ethanol, and hydrocarbons.
Main Results:
- Cr(2)O(3)-decorated ZnO NWs exhibited a high response (17.8) to 5 ppm TMA at 400 °C.
- The sensor demonstrated high selectivity for TMA, with responses significantly higher than those to ethanol, xylene, ammonia, and other tested gases.
- Pristine ZnO and ZnO-Cr(2)O(3) core-shell structures showed less selective responses to different gases.
Conclusions:
- Decoration with discrete Cr(2)O(3) nanoparticles significantly enhances the selectivity and sensitivity of ZnO NW-based sensors for TMA detection.
- The enhanced performance is attributed to the catalytic effect of Cr(2)O(3) and the formation of p-n junctions, extending the electron depletion layer.
- This Cr(2)O(3)-decorated ZnO NW network offers a promising platform for developing advanced TMA gas sensors.
