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Gas-sensing performance of SnO2-based chemoresistive sensors after irradiation with alpha particles and gamma-rays

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Abstract

SnO2-based chemoresistive sensors were tested for the detection of H2O and CO impurities both before and after exposure to α-particles and γ-rays, assessing their radiation resistance for use in moderately radioactive environments. The materials examined were SnO2 with gold nanoparticles, and a mix of Sn-, Ti-, and Nb-oxides. The performance was evaluated in both an open-ended gas-flow setup and in a gas-loop system. Post-irradiation characterization via scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy was performed to assess morphological changes. Preliminary results showed a fast and efficient response of the sensors after irradiation, indicating their suitability for this novel use.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge Dr. N. Samadi (PSI) for the SEM analysis of the SnO2(Au) chemosensors.

Funding

This project has been supported and partially funded by the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research (PRIN 2017KC8WMB).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics and Earth Science, University of Ferrara, via Giuseppe Saragat 1, 44122, Ferrara, Italy

    G. Zonta, M. Astolfi, C. Malagù & D. Vincenzi

  2. SCENT S.r.l., via Quadrifoglio 11, 44124, Ferrara, Italy

    G. Zonta, M. Astolfi, S. Gherardi & C. Malagù

  3. Department of Chemistry and Applied Biosciences, ETH Zürich, Wolfgang-Pauli-Strasse 10, 8049, Zurich, Switzerland

    N. Cerboni & P. Steinegger

  4. Laboratory of Radiochemistry, Paul Scherrer Institute, Forschungsstrasse 111, 5303, Villigen, Switzerland

    N. Cerboni, P. Steinegger & N. M. Chiera

  5. Calibration Laboratory, Paul Scherrer Institute, Forschungsstrasse 111, 5303, Villigen, Switzerland

    M. Kasprzak

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  1. G. Zonta
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  2. M. Astolfi
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection, and analysis were performed by GZ, MA, NMC, and PS. NC conducted SEM and EDX data acquisition and analysis. MK irradiated the samples and performed the corresponding calculations. The initial manuscript draft was written by NMC. All authors participated in commenting, editing, and reviewing the manuscript, and they all read and approved the final version.

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Correspondence to G. Zonta or N. M. Chiera.

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Zonta, G., Astolfi, M., Cerboni, N. et al. Gas-sensing performance of SnO2-based chemoresistive sensors after irradiation with alpha particles and gamma-rays. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 333, 995–1004 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-023-09340-2

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