Rationalization in the ethanol-gas recognition mechanism of Al-doped ZnO nanoparticulate thin film defined on a highly integrated micro hot plate. (17th May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Galati, C; Spinella, N; Gervasi, L; Reina, S; Renna, L
• Is Part Of: Materials research express. Volume 6:Number 8(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-05-17
• Subjects: nanostructured material -- Al-doped-ZnO -- mechanism -- gas sensors -- dynamic response; Materials science -- Research -- Periodicals; Materials science -- Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1088/2053-1591/ab1f38
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2053-1591

Abstract

Abstract: The gas sensor integration in smart devices, represents a huge step forward for health and environmental sensing applications. Several technical problems as well as the insufficient rationalization in the gas-recognition mechanisms still impede their development. Addressing this challenge, an ethyl alcohol/Al-doped ZnO interaction experiment is designed, exploiting a reliable chemiresistive thin film-based gas sensor. An ink-jet printing technique is chosen to deposit the nanostructured active layer on the highly integrated micro hot plate. Deposited sensing layer, is investigated with scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. Conformal coating and profiled signals according to the covered sensor structure were achieved. The sensing results demonstrate a reproducible dynamic gas response with a rapid initial decrease in resistance, followed by a steady rise in conductivity at a different rate, until it plateaus. The well-defined signal profile, with the peculiar inflection points, has enabled an interpretation of the chemical reaction mechanism.