Effect of Au Nanoparticles on Mitigating Negative Effect of Humidity on ZnO-Based Gas Sensors
Date
2024-01-22
Authors
Alaghmandfard, Amirhossein
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Abstract
This thesis presents ZnO-based gas sensors for the detection of analytes, using Au nanoparticles to reduce the destructive effects of humidity on gas detection. The ZnO nanostructures are fabricated using the thermal decomposition method for different lengths of time and at varying temperatures. These structures are characterized by the X-ray diffraction technique, revealing the wurtzite hexagonal close-packed ZnO structures. In addition, scanning electron microscopy is employed to characterize the morphology of the synthesized ZnO structures. The results show that the length of ZnO nanostructures increases by raising the calcination temperature for 12 hours. The changes in the electrical current of the sensor are studied to determine the presence of target gases at various concentrations. The results show that the ZnO nanostructures prepared at 380 oC revealed the best response toward different humidity levels due to a higher number of oxygen vacancies, which are perfect sites to react with the target gas molecules. After selecting the best ZnO-based sensor, Au nanoparticles are sputtered onto the ZnO nanostructures with different thicknesses. Based on the results, the 0.1-nm-thick Au layer creates the best sensors to reduce the effect of humidity while demonstrating a constant response toward the target gas at different humidity levels. The sensor also shows good sensitivity and selectivity toward the triethylamine gas target with a response of 17.57, which is 62.75, 60.59, 4.81, 8.29, 4.30, 42.85, 70.28, and 292.83 times higher than the response toward Acetone, Methanol, Diethyleneamine, Benzene, Toluene, Ethanol, 1-propanol, and H2, respectively. This sensor revealed fast response and recovery times of 9.8 s and 4.4 s, respectively and promising stability over 24 days.
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Keywords
Zinc Oxide Semiconductors, Au Nanoparticles, Triethylamine, Gas Sensor, Humidity Effects