H2S gas sensor based on integrated resonant dual-microcantilevers with high sensitivity and identification capability

Detection of trace-level hydrogen sulfide(H₂ S) gas is of great importance whether in industrial production or disease diagnosis.This research presents a novel H₂ S gas sensor based on integrated resonant dual-microcantilevers which can identify and detect trace-level H₂ S in real-time.The sensor consists of two integrated resonant microcantilever sensors with different functions.One cantilever sensor can identify H₂ S by outputting positive frequency ...     

A WO3 nanorod-Cr2O3 nanoparticle composite for selective gas sensing of 2-butanone

The sensor based on WO₃-Cr₂O₃ nanocomposites show good selectivity to 2-butanone.     

Ammonia gas sensor based on electrosynthesized polypyrrole films

In this work, design and fabrication of micro-gas-sensors, polymerization and deposition of poly(pyrrole) thin films as sensitive layer for the micro-gas-sensors by electrochemical processing, and characterization of the polymer films by FTIR, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), are reported. The change in conductance of thin polymer layers is used as a sensor signal. The behaviours, including sensitivity, reproducibility and reversibility, to various ammonia gas concentrations ranging from 8 ppm to 1000 ppm are investigated. The influence of the temperature on the electrical response of the sensors is also studied. The experimental results show that these ammonia gas sensors are efficient since they are sensitive to ammonia, reversible and reproducible at room temperature.     

A cataluminescence gas sensor for carbon tetrachloride based on nanosized ZnS

A novel and sensitive gas sensor was proposed for the determination of carbon tetrachloride based on its cataluminescence (CTL) by oxidation in the air on the surface of nanosized ZnS. The luminescence characteristics and the optimal conditions were investigated in detail. Under the optimized conditions, the linear range of the CTL intensity versus the concentration of carbon tetrachloride was 0.4-114 μg mL⁻¹, with a correlation coefficient (R) of 0.9986 and a limit of detection (S/N = 3) of 0.2 μg mL⁻¹. The relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) for 5.9 μg mL⁻¹ carbon tetrachloride was 2.9% (n = 5). There was no or weak response to common foreign substances including methanol, ethanol, benzene, acetone, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, dichloromethane, xylene, ammonia and trichloromethane. There was no significant change of the catalytic activity of the sensor for 40 h over 4 days, with a R.S.D. of less than 5% by collecting the CTL intensity once an hour. The proposed method was simple and sensitive, with a potential of detecting carbon tetrachloride in environment and industry grounds. The possible mechanism was also discussed briefly.     

Development and investigation of the flexible hydrogen sensor based on ZnO-decorated Sb2O3 nanobelts

Hydrogen is regarded as the next-gen fuel for vehicles to avoid the emission of toxic gases, which needs a continuous monitoring of the concentration level. In the design of the H₂ sensor, especially of flexible type, a sensing layer will be blended, which affects the sensing performance of the device. Based on this concern, the present investigation is carried out to understand the effect of the bending angle toward the sensing performance of bare and ZnO (n-type)-decorated Sb₂O₃ (p-type) nanobelt–based sensors for hydrogen gas. The sensing element was prepared by the thermal chemical vapor deposition followed by the drop-casting method. Furthermore, the role of the zinc precursor (molar concentration—1 M–3 M) on the preparation of ZnO-decorated Sb₂O₃ nanobelts was studied. Various techniques were used to confirm the formation of ZnO-decorated nanobelts such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). From these analyses, 1 M concentration of the zinc precursor shows uniform distribution of nanoparticles over the surface of Sb₂O₃ nanobelts. However, agglomeration was observed when the concentration of the zinc precursor increases from 1 M to 3 M. Later, the prepared nanobelts were deposited on the OverHead Projector (OHP) sheet by the doctor blade method for sensing hydrogen gas at 100 °C at a concentration of 1000–3000 ppm. In addition to it, the effect of the substrate bending angle (0°, 45°, 60°, and 90°) was analyzed at a fixed concentration of H₂ gas (1000 ppm). From this study, it is clear that the highest sensing response was achieved for 1 M decorated nanobelts compared with bare as well as other concentrations because of uniform distribution of nanoparticles on the surface of nanobelts. Moreover, the prepared sample demonstrates better sensing performance with the bending of substrates, which suggests that the prepared sensor could be used for flexible electronic devices. The prepared nanobelts show a good H₂ gas–sensing response even with bending of the substrates. The work suggests that the prepared sensor is applicable for flexible electronic devices.     

A cataluminescence gas sensor based on nanosized V2O5 for tert-butyl mercaptan

This work proposed a gas sensor for the determination of tert-butyl mercaptan, one of the highly toxic volatile sulfur compounds, which was based on cataluminescence emission during its catalytic oxidation on the surface of nanosized V₂O₅. The cataluminescence characteristics and the optimum conditions, including the morphology of sensing material, the wavelength of cataluminescence emission, the oxygen flow rate and working temperature were investigated in detail. Under the optimized conditions, the calibration curve of the relative cataluminescence intensity versus the concentration of tert-butyl mercaptan vapor was made, with the linear range of 5.6-196 μg mL⁻¹ and the detection limit of 0.5 μg mL⁻¹ (S/N = 3). The relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) (n = 5) of relative cataluminescence intensity for 84 μg mL⁻¹ tert-butyl mercaptan was 3.6%. There is no or weak response to some common substances, such as formic acid, alcohol (methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, n-butanol, isoamyl alcohol), o-dichlorobenzene, acetonitrile, ethyl acetate, aldehyde (formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and propanal), 1,2-dichloroethane and ammonia. Furthermore, the proposed sensor was successfully used for determining tert-butyl mercaptan in four artificial samples, with a good recovery. The results demonstrated that the proposed gas sensor had a promising capability for the tert-butyl mercaptan in routine monitoring.     

A highly selective ratiometric fluorescent probe for H2S based on new heterocyclic ring formation and detection in live cells

A 3-indolylacrylate derivative, 3-IA, prepared by connecting an ethyl acrylate in 3-position of indole has been synthesised and characterised. Ethyl acrylate moiety acts as the Michael acceptor towards H₂S, and the resultant addition product then participates in intramolecular cyclisation with the ester group at 2-position to form another new heterocyclic ring. Blue fluorescence of 3-IA turned into green in presence of H₂S, leading to ratiometric behaviour of the fluorescent sensor with large stokes shift of 55 nm. Probe 3-IA has excellent selectivity towards H₂S over other biothiols and other competing anions. Density function theory/time-dependent density function theory calculations were carried out to validate the reaction mechanism and the electronic properties of 3-IA. Importantly, the ratiometric probe 3-IA shows great promise in H₂S detection by simple visual fluorescent inspection in filter paper-based protocol. The probe shows its excellent ability to detect H₂S in different natural water samples. Furthermore, we have employed our probe to detect H₂S for ratiometric imaging in live Vero cell.     

A new cataluminescence gas sensor based on SiO2 nanotubes fabricated using carbon nanotube templates

In the present work, two morphologies of SiO₂ nanomaterials (SiO₂ nanotubes and nanoparticles) have been successfully synthesized in supercritical fluids (SCFs). The cataluminescence (CTL) features of the two SiO₂ nanomaterials to some common harmful gases were compared, and the results showed that SiO₂ nanotubes had better CTL sensing characteristic to some common harmful gases. The SiO₂ nanotubes not only had uniform size and shape with a high specific surface area, but also exhibited superior sensitivity and selectivity to ethyl acetate vapor. Using the SiO₂ nanotubes as sensing material, a CTL sensor for ethyl acetate vapor was developed. The proposed sensor showed high sensitivity and specificity to ethyl acetate at optimal temperature of 293 °C, a wavelength of 425 nm and a flow rate of 345 mL/min. With a detection limit of 0.85 ppm, the linear range of CTL intensity versus concentrations of ethyl acetate vapor was 2.0-2000 ppm. None or only very low levels of interference were observed while the foreign substances such as acetone, acetaldehyde, acetic acid, formaldehyde, ammonia, ethanol, benzene and methanol were passing through the sensor. This method allows rapid determination of gaseous ethyl acetate at workshop.     

Nanocrystalline Ni0.6Zn0.4Fe2O4: A novel semiconducting material for ethanol detection

The structure and crystal phase of the nanocrystalline powders of Ni_1−xZn_xFe₂O₄ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) mixed ferrite, synthesized by ethylene glycol mediated citrate sol-gel method, were characterized by X-ray diffraction and microstructure by transmission electron microscopy. Further studies by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were also conducted. Moreover, DC electrical properties of the prepared nanoparticles were studied by DC conductivity measurements. The response of prepared Ni_1−xZn_xFe₂O₄ mixed ferrites to different reducing gases (ethanol, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, hydrogen and liquefied petroleum gas) was investigated. In particular, Ni_0.6Zn_0.4Fe₂O₄ composition exhibited high response to 100 ppm ethanol gas at 300 °C. Incorporation of palladium further improved the response, selectivity and response time of Ni_0.6Zn_0.4Fe₂O₄ to ethanol gas with the blue shift in the operating temperature by 25 °C.     

Absorbance characteristics of a liquid-phase gas sensor based on gas-permeable liquid core waveguides

The absorbance characteristics and influential factors on these characteristics for a liquid-phase gas sensor, which is based on gas–permeable liquid core waveguides (LCWs), are studied from theoretical and experimental viewpoints in this paper. According to theory, it is predicted that absorbance is proportional to the analyte concentration, sampling time, analyte diffusion coefficient, and geometric factor of this device when the depletion layer of the analyte is ignored. The experimental results are in agreement with the theoretical hypothesis. According to the experimental results, absorbance is time-dependent and increasing linearly over time after the requisite response time with a linear correlation coefficient r² > 0.999. In the linear region, the rate of absorbance change (RAC) indicates improved linearity with sample concentration and a relative higher sensitivity than instantaneous absorbance does. By using a core liquid that is more affinitive to the analyte, reducing wall thickness and the inner diameter of the tubing, or increasing sample flow rate limitedly, the response time can be decreased and the sensitivity can be increased. However, increasing the LCW length can only enhance sensitivity and has no effect on response time. For liquid phase detection, there is a maximum flow rate, and the absorbance will decrease beyond the stated limit. Under experimental conditions, hexane as the LCW core solvent, a tubing wall thickness of 0.1 mm, a length of 10 cm, and a flow rate of 12 mL min⁻¹, the detection results for the aqueous benzene sample demonstrate a response time of 4 min. Additionally, the standard curve for the RAC versus concentration is RAC = 0.0267 c + 0.0351 (AU min⁻¹), with r² = 0.9922 within concentrations of 0.5–3.0 mg L⁻¹. The relative error for 0.5 mg L⁻¹ benzene (n = 6) is 7.4 ± 3.7%, and the LOD is 0.04 mg L⁻¹. This research can provide theoretical and practical guides for liquid–phase gas sensor design and development based on a gas-permeable Teflon AF 2400 LCW.     

A new light emitting diode-light emitting diode portable carbon dioxide gas sensor based on an interchangeable membrane system for industrial applications

A new system for CO₂ measurement (0–100%) based on a paired emitter–detector diode arrangement as a colorimetric detection system is described. Two different configurations were tested: configuration 1 (an opposite side configuration) where a secondary inner-filter effect accounts for CO₂ sensitivity. This configuration involves the absorption of the phosphorescence emitted from a CO₂-insensitive luminophore by an acid–base indicator and configuration 2 wherein the membrane containing the luminophore is removed, simplifying the sensing membrane that now only contains the acid–base indicator. In addition, two different instrumental configurations have been studied, using a paired emitter–detector diode system, consisting of two LEDs wherein one is used as the light source (emitter) and the other is used in reverse bias mode as the light detector. The first configuration uses a green LED as emitter and a red LED as detector, whereas in the second case two identical red LEDs are used as emitter and detector. The system was characterised in terms of sensitivity, dynamic response, reproducibility, stability and temperature influence. We found that configuration 2 presented a better CO₂ response in terms of sensitivity.     

H2在WO3表面解离吸附反应的第一性原理研究

采用第一性原理方法对H2在WO3表面的解离吸附反应进行了研究.首先通过清洁表面模型的计算,证明了c(2×2)重构表面是最稳定的WO3(001)表面构型;进而研究了4种可能的H2解离吸附模型,结果表明最可能的吸附反应为两个氢原子吸附在表面O1c原子上,氢原子被氧化在表面形成水,同时伴随着产生一个表面氧空位.态密度结果表明氢的吸附导致体系能带下移,导带部分填充电子,从而阐明了实验中WO3吸附H2后电导率上升的微观机理.     

A highly sensitive and selective dimethyl ether sensor based on cataluminescence

A sensor for detecting dimethyl ether was designed based on the cataluminescence phenomenon when dimethyl ether vapors were passing through the surface of the ceramic heater. The proposed sensor showed high sensitivity and selectivity to dimethyl ether at an optimal temperature of 279 °C. Quantitative analysis were performed at a wavelength of 425 nm, the flow rate of carrier air is around 300 mL/min. The linear range of the cataluminescence intensity versus concentration of dimethyl ether is 100-6.0 × 10³ ppm with a detection limit of 80 ppm. The sensor response time is 2.5 s. Under the optimized conditions, none or only very low levels of interference were observed while the foreign substances such as benzene, formaldehyde, ammonia, methanol, ethanol, acetaldehyde, acetic acid, acrolein, isopropyl ether, ethyl acetate, glycol ether and 2-methoxyethanol were passing through the sensor. Since the sensor does not need to prepare and fix up the granular catalyst, the simple technology reduces cost, improves stability and extends life span. The method can be applied to facilitate detection of dimethyl ether in the air. The possible mechanism of cataluminescence from the oxidation of dimethyl ether on the surface of ceramic heater was discussed based on the reaction products.     

A novel quartz crystal microbalance gas sensor based on porous film coatings. A high sensitivity porous poly(methylmethacrylate) water vapor sensor

We describe a novel and generally applicable approach for creating voids in films deposited on the surface of solid substrates. Such films are advantageous when a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) is the basis of a sensor. We show that films with large void volumes produce more sensitive sensors than with the original film. Poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) was used as the polymer layer deposited on a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) to demonstrate our technique for the model system of water vapor analysis in flowing nitrogen gas. A film of pure PMMA on a QCM is a sensor for water vapor in a gas phase. A more sensitive sensor was created by dip coating QCM crystals into solutions containing mixtures of PMMA and poly(d,l-lactide) (PDLL) and then evaporating the solution films on the QCM crystals to form mixed polymer films of varying PDLL content. The PDLL was then removed from the mixed polymer films by exposure to a NaOH solution to form pure PMMA films having various void volumes. A leached PMMA film that originally contained 50% by weight PDLL had a 3.7 times larger QCM sensitivity for water vapor than a pure PMMA film.     

A simple detection system for gas chromatography based on molecular absorption spectrometry in the gas phase

Summary A simple and inexpensive detection system for gas chromatography, based on gas-phase, molecular absorption measurements, is presented in which the chromatographic column is directly joined to the spectrophotometer flow cell, without heated transfer lines. A mixture of eight benzene compounds (including methyl, halogen and nitrogen derivatives) were separated and analyzed. Parameters affecting separation (temperature program and carrier gas flow) and measurement quality (wavelength and integration time) were studied and a measurement program designed to modify the wavelength during chromatography. The analytical characteristics of each compound were calculated, obtaining detection limits ranging from 0.5 to 9 g mL^–1. Finally, the method was applied to several synthetic mixtures, with good results.     

基于硫堇掺杂的聚乙烯醇薄膜的光波导传感器检测硫化氢气体

采用旋转甩涂法将硫堇掺杂的聚乙烯醇薄膜固定在K⁺交换玻璃光波导表面,研制出一种高灵敏硫化氢气体传感器。 传感膜与硫化氢(H₂S)气体作用时,薄膜颜色从紫色变为无色,从而降低薄膜对倏逝波的吸收,使传感器的输出光强度（信号）增强。 采用流动注射法对H₂S气体进行检测。 实验结果表明,H₂S传感器对浓度在0.14~56 mg/m3范围的H₂S气体具有良好的线性响应（r=0.99667）,检出限为0.11 mg/m³(S/N=3),相对标准偏差为4.0%,响应时间（t90）＜2 s。 该传感器具有灵敏度高、响应快、可逆性和重复性好等特点。     

A simple and highly selective fluorescent sensor for palladium based on benzofuran-2-boronic acid

Benzofuran-2-boronic acid could be used as a fluorescent sensor for the detection of Pd²⁺ because it was rapidly converted to highly fluorescent derivative after mixing with Pd²⁺ under basic condition at room temperature. We found that dimerization of benzofuran was occurred to form fluorescent derivative by the catalytic activity of palladium. The fluorescence intensity at 360 nm increased with increasing the concentration of Pd²⁺. The excellent selectivity for Pd²⁺ was demonstrated among other metal ions. Based on this findings, we successfully applied benzofuran-2-boronic acid to develop a microplate-based assay for high-throughput measurement of Pd²⁺. The detection limit (blank + 3SD) for Pd²⁺ of the proposed assay was 9.8 nM.     

Optochemical sensor for determining ozone based on novel soluble indigo dyes immobilised in a highly permeable polymeric film

An optochemical ozone sensor is described that has been manufactured by immobilisation of novel soluble indigo derivatives in permeable transparent polymeric films of polydimethylsiloxane–polycarbonate copolymer. From a number of investigated indigo derivatives, 4,4,7,7-tetraalkoxyindigo 9 has been selected for optimal sensitivity and specificity of ozone detection. A linear calibration for ozone can be obtained in the range between 0.01 and 0.5 ppm. The limit of quantitation is 0.03 ppm, and the accuracy exceeds 8%. It takes about 134 s to measure the relatively low occupational exposure concentration of 0.1 ppm. A reduction of the sensor response time could be achieved through application of double-sided coated sensors instead of single-sided variants. The stability of the sensors and the effect of external parameters like relative humidity (RH), temperature and gas flow on the sensor response have been investigated. The sensor response is affected by varying the gas flow or temperature; however, humidity in the range between 0 and 90% RH does not affect sensor response. The indigo derivative 9 remained stable inside the polymeric film and no chemical reaction, crystallisation or leaching occurred during 10 months of observation. Proper choice of indicator dye and polymeric material and successful application of kinetic evaluation method for the exposure experiments determine the desired features of the sensor.     

A Label-free Photoelectrochemical Sensor Based on Bi2S3@Nitrogen Doped Graphene Quantum Dots for Ascorbic Acid Determination

We report a photoelectrochemical(PEC) sensor for selective detection of ascorbic(AA) by introducing Z-scheme Bi₂S₃@nitrogen doped graphene quantum dots(Bi₂S₃@NGQDs) heterojunctions as efficient photoactive species. The Bi₂S₃@NGQDs were successfully prepared by a simple hydrothermal process, and the microstructures and components were investigated by various characterized techniques. The photocurrent of the Bi₂S₃@NGQDs-based sensor increased significantly in the presence of AA and showed excellent selectivity and stability for AA detection in the presence of some other antioxidants and small molecules. A wide linear range of 0.1-5 μmol/L and 5-1380 μmol/L was achieved for the AA detection with a detection limit of 36 nmol/L(S/N=3). Moreover, the proposed PEC sensor achieved the determination of AA in real red peppers and commercially available vitamin C tablets samples.     

A new hydrogen cyanide chemiresistor gas sensor based on graphene quantum dots

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs), synthesised via controlled carbonisation of citric acid, were reduced by hydrazine hydrate and then used as hydrogen cyanide (HCN) gas sensors. Checking of the reduction step by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) techniques revealed that most of the oxygen-containing functional groups were removed from the GQDs. It was observed the reduction process is necessary for sensitising of GQDs for HCN gas. The electrical resistance of the reduced GQDs was increased as a result of their exposure to HCN gas. Accepting a p-type semiconducting characteristic for GQD material, the above-mentioned behaviour suggested electron donation from HCN to GQD. The sensor response to HCN gas was reversible, suggesting a reversible adsorption/desorption phenomenon of HCN to the GQDs. The response as well as the recovery time of the sensor was different depending on the HCN concentration tested. The developed sensor showed linear HCN response from 1 to 100 ppm. The detection limit of the sensor was estimated to be 0.6 ppm (S/N). Relative standard deviation f HCN determination by the developed sensor was calculated to be 5.7% (n = 4, [HCN] = 50 ppm). The sensor response was did not vary significantly within 6 months.