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Semiconductor Nanomaterials for Gas Sensor Applications

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Environmental Nanotechnology Volume 3

Part of the book series: Environmental Chemistry for a Sustainable World ((ECSW,volume 27))

Abstract

Nanotechnology is the engineering and art of manipulating matter at the nanoscale. The adaptability of physical and chemical properties of metal, semiconductor, noble, and composite nanoparticles renders them as promising materials in the fields ranging from optoelectronics to sensors. These nanoparticles or their self-assemblies are able to distinguish the mixtures of gases, volatile organic compounds, and others. Detection of pollutant, toxic, refining, and combustible gases is significant for framework and process control, safety monitoring, and environmental safeguard. In the last two decades, there have been essential improvements in two key areas that may make this guarantee a reality. First is the improvement of a diversity of excellent performing nanostructured metal oxide semiconductors (MOSs), the most commonly utilized materials for gas sensing. Second are advances in very low power loss reduced heater elements.

Here we review an overview about the principles and the technologies used in solid-state gas sensors. These devices work by measuring a physical property changed by adsorption/desorption processes and chemical reactions on the surface of a sensing element, i.e., a solid-state film of a gas-sensitive material. Some of the most used kinds of solid-state gas sensors are here described jointly with new sensor technologies in progress for commercial exploitation in the future. The analysis of different parameters of metal oxides and the search of criteria, which could be utilized through material chosen for solid-state gas sensor applications, were the main objectives of this chapter. Finally, the future horizons of such semiconductor nanomaterials for gas-sensing applications are also highlighted.

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Abbreviations

AACVD:

Aerosol-assisted chemical vapor deposition

BAW:

Bulk acoustic waves

CVD:

Chemical vapor deposition

IDT:

Interdigitated transducer

MEMS:

Micro-electrochemical systems

MHP:

Microhotplate

MOSs:

Metal oxide semiconductors

NDIR:

Nondispersive infrared

PECVD:

Plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition

PEM:

Proton exchange membrane

QCM:

Quartz crystal microbalance

QMB:

Quartz microbalances

SAW:

Surface acoustic wave

VOC:

Volatile organic compounds

YSZ:

Yttria-stabilized zirconia

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Acknowledgement

The authors wish to thank Dr. Aya Gomaa for technical assistance.

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Hassan, H.S., Elkady, M.F. (2020). Semiconductor Nanomaterials for Gas Sensor Applications. In: Dasgupta, N., Ranjan, S., Lichtfouse, E. (eds) Environmental Nanotechnology Volume 3. Environmental Chemistry for a Sustainable World, vol 27. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-26672-1_10

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