ABSTRACT
In this paper, the gas sensing properties of metal oxide nano-powder composites are studied and modeled. The gas sensing properties of mixtures of two different metal oxide nanoparticles, prepared via low-cost routes, are investigated. The responses to both an oxidizing (NO2) and a reducing gas (CO) are analyzed. The tested composites are obtained by mixing a different percentage of a p-type metal oxide, Co3O4, with moderate responses to NO2 at about 200 °C and to CO at high temperature (above 260 °C), with n-type Al-doped ZnO, which is characterized by a large but unstable response towards NO2 around 160 °C and a moderate response towards CO around 200 °C. In the oxides mixtures, p-n heterojunctions are formed by the juxtaposition of an n-type and a p-type grain in contact. Consequently, the electronic conductivity is modified and the obtained composite materials show novel characteristics with respect to the base materials. This indicates that predicting the behavior of the composites from those of their components is not possible and it suggests that the hetero-junction behavior has to be studied to understand the sensing properties of the composite materials. The obtained results indicate that the composites containing a significant amount of hetero-junctions exhibit a stable response to NO2 at room temperature and significant responses towards CO at 160 °C.
ABSTRACT
In the present work, hematite (α-Fe2O3) nanopowders were successfully prepared via a hydrothermal route. The morphology and microstructure of the synthesized nanopowders were analyzed by using scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM, respectively) analysis and X-ray diffraction. Gas sensing devices were fabricated by printing α-Fe2O3 nanopowders on alumina substrates provided with an interdigitated platinum electrode. To determine the sensor sensitivity toward NO2, one of the main environmental pollutants, tests with low concentrations of NO2 in air were carried out. The results of sensing tests performed at the operating temperature of 200 °C have shown that the α-Fe2O3 sensor exhibits p-type semiconductor behavior and high sensitivity. Further, the dynamics exhibited by the sensor are also very fast. Lastly, to determine the selectivity of the α-Fe2O3 sensor, it was tested toward different gases. The sensor displayed large selectivity to nitrogen dioxide, which can be attributed to larger affinity towards NO2 in comparison to other pollutant gases present in the environment, such as CO and CO2.
