Tungsten Oxide Photonic Crystals as Optical Transducer for Gas Sensing
Sabrina Amrehn1, Xia Wu1, Thorsten Wagner1
1Paderborn University , Warburger Straße 100, 33098 Paderborn, Germany.
ACS Sensors
|December 20, 2017
Summary
This study introduces a new optical hydrogen sensor using tungsten trioxide photonic crystals. This metal oxide material offers a novel way to detect gases optically, overcoming limitations of traditional electrical sensors.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Chemical Sensing
Background:
- Metal oxide semiconductors like tungsten trioxide are effective gas sensors but electrical read-out limits electronic property analysis.
- Electrical contacts in traditional sensors restrict the frequency range and application scope for metal oxide characterization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a novel optical transducer for gas reactions using metal oxide photonic crystals.
- To demonstrate a functional material for optical frequency range electronic property insight.
- To showcase tungsten trioxide inverse opal structures for hydrogen sensing.
Main Methods:
- Rational design of structure and composition for functional metal oxide photonic crystals.
- Synthesis of tungsten trioxide inverse opal structures.
- Optical analysis of sensing behavior under varying hydrogen concentrations and temperatures.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated tungsten trioxide inverse opal as an effective optical transducer for hydrogen sensing.
- Analyzed sensing behavior from room temperature to 500 °C and 3000 ppm to 10% hydrogen concentration.
- Identified refractive index change due to hydrogen intercalation as the primary sensing mechanism.
Conclusions:
- Metal oxide photonic crystals offer a novel optical approach to gas sensing.
- Tungsten trioxide inverse opals provide insight into electronic properties in the optical frequency range.
- Understanding hydrogen intercalation and back reactions is key for optimizing sensing conditions.
