A parts per billion (ppb) sensor for NO2 with microwatt (μW) power requirements based on micro light plates

A film of gas sensitive ZnO nanoparticles has been coupled with a low-power micro light plate (μLP) to achieve a NO2-parts-per-billion conductometric gas sensor operating at room temperature. In this μLP configuration, an InGaN-based LED (emitting at 455 nm) is integrated at a few hundred nanometers...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Casals Guillén, Olga, Markiewicz, Nicolai, Fàbrega Gallego, Cristian, Gràcia Tortadés, Isabel, Cané i Ballart, Carles, Wasisto, Hutomo Suryo, Waag, Andreas, Prades García, Juan Daniel
Format: article
Status:Versión aceptada para publicación
Publication Date:2019
Country:España
Institution:Varias* (Consorci de Biblioteques Universitáries de Catalunya, Centre de Serveis Científics i Acadèmics de Catalunya)
Repository:Recercat. Dipósit de la Recerca de Catalunya
OAI Identifier:oai:recercat.cat:2445/130016
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/2445/130016
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:Detectors de gasos
Electrònica de potència
Nanotecnologia
Gas detectors
Power electronics
Nanotechnology
Description
Summary:A film of gas sensitive ZnO nanoparticles has been coupled with a low-power micro light plate (μLP) to achieve a NO2-parts-per-billion conductometric gas sensor operating at room temperature. In this μLP configuration, an InGaN-based LED (emitting at 455 nm) is integrated at a few hundred nanometers distance from the sensor material, leading to sensor photoactivation with well controlled, uniform, and high irradiance conditions, and very low electrical power needs. The response curves to different NO2 concentrations as a function of the irradiance displayed a bell-like shape. Responses of 20% to 25 ppb of NO2 were already observed at irradiances of 5 mWatts·cm-2 (applying an electrical power as low as 30 μW). In the optimum illumination conditions (around 60 mWatts·cm-2, or 200 μW of electric power), responses of 94% to 25 ppb were achieved, corresponding to a lower detection limit of 1 ppb of NO2. Higher irradiance values worsened the sensor response in the parts-per-billion range of NO2 concentrations. The responses to other gases such as NH3, CO, and CH4 were much smaller, showing a certain selectivity toward NO2. The effects of humidity on the sensor response are also discussed.