Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 6, 2026

A Fabrication and Measurement Method for a Flexible Ferroelectric Element Based on Van Der Waals Heteroepitaxy
Published on: April 8, 2018
Ferroelectric SbSI nanowires for ammonia detection at a low temperature
Krystian Mistewicz1, Marian Nowak1, Danuta Stróż2
1Institute of Physics - Center for Science and Education, Silesian University of Technology, Krasińskiego 8, 40-019 Katowice, Poland.
Abstract:
For the first-time, an ammonia (NH3) gas sensor has been fabricated using antimony sulfoiodide (SbSI). A few aligned SbSI nanowires have been bonded to Au microelectrodes on a glass substrate. The fabricated sensor has been tested for various concentrations of NH3 in N2 at operating temperatures below (T = 280 K) and above (T = 304 K) Curie point of SbSI. A significantly higher response and sensitivity of the sensor is observed, when the operating temperature is lower than Curie temperature. However, comparable values of the low detection limits (6.0 ± 2.4) ppm and (6.3 ± 3.9) ppm have been determined at operating temperatures of 280 K and 304 K, respectively. The current response, as well as the sensitivity versus ammonia concentration, follow the power laws known for conductometric gas sensors. SbSI nanosensor exhibits good stability, short term response reversibility, and does not require a heating system for recovery. This device also demonstrates a high selectivity to NH3 against other interfering gases. The ammonia sensing mechanism has been explained by considering the formation of NH4+ ions on the nanowire surface and the occurrence of proton transfer according to Grotthuss's chain reaction.
Related Concept Videos
Preparation of Amines: Alkylation of Ammonia and Amines
Each alkylation step makes the nitrogen center more nucleophilic, which triggers successive alkylations until a quaternary ammonium salt is formed. Considering...
Reduction of Alkynes to trans-Alkenes: Sodium in Liquid Ammonia
When dissolved in liquid ammonia, an alkali metal, such as sodium,...
Body Temperature
Body Temperature
The average body temperature is approximately 37°C (98.6°F) and typically ranges from 36.1–37.2°C...
Effects of Temperature on Free Energy
Factors Affecting Body Temperature
Factors may include:

