Seminars Archive

Quasi-1D Metal Oxide and Phthalocyanine Nanostructures as Gas Sensors: Fabrication, Characterization and Prototype Devices

Abstract
Quasi 1-D inorganic and organic chemiresistors are close to occupy their specific niche in the real world solid state sensorics. Using single crystal individual nanowires and nanowire mats made of metal oxides and Cu (Pb) phthalocyanines we have studied their performance in model as well as in real world environments. Along with generic high sensitivity, the major advantage of this kind of sensors with respect to available thin/thick film sensors will be their size and stable, predictable and reproducible performance in a wide range of operating conditions. The performance of such a gas sensor and especially its sensitivity are determined by its materials-specific surface/bulk chemistry as well as the size and shape of its active element(s). The array of methods which allow one to fabricate, functionalize and characterize chemiresistors will be reported. In particular, we are developing and testing the experimental approaches to tune sensitivity and selectivity of these sensors as well as implementing spectromicroscopy methods to monitor the surface processes on individual nanostructures. Finally, the prototypes of nanowire electronic noses and real world nanowire micromachined devices will be discussed and their characteristics will be demonstrated.