Speaker
Description
Ethanol (C2H5OH) is a poisonous, highly flammable, and explosive volatile organic compound extensively used in the food and beverage, petrochemical, and agricultural industries. Exposure to high concentrations of C2H5OH vapor can cause severe health and safety issues, including respiratory tract damage, central nervous system effects, and potential explosions. Therefore, highly sensitive C2H5OH sensors that operate at low temperatures are crucial to prevent false alarms in safety systems.
In this study, pristine In2O3-Co3O4-ZnO nanostructure, and 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 wt.% Ru-loaded In2O3-Co3O4-ZnO nanostructures were fabricated using the hydrothermal technique, followed by thermal annealing to achieve optimum crystallinity and interfacial contact between the metal oxides and noble metal. The structural and chemical state confirmed the formation of heterostructures and the incorporation of Ru. Additionally, surface defects (e.g., oxygen vacancies and metal interstitials) were analysed for their role in enhancing gas-sensing performance by increasing active sites, facilitating charge transfer, and consequently lowering the band gap energy. During gas-sensing measurements, the integrated In2O3-Co3O4-ZnO ternary nanostructure loaded with 1.0 wt.% Ru exhibited exceptional sensing performance towards 100 ppm C2H5OH at an optimal operating temperature of 75 °C. Furthermore, the sensor exhibited remarkable sensitivity, a low detection limit, and long-term stability. These findings demonstrate the promising potential of quaternary nanostructures for effective detection of C2H5OH at low temperatures, a valuable opportunity for future research and advancements in gas-sensing technologies.
| Apply for student award at which level: | PhD |
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| Consent on use of personal information: Abstract Submission | Yes, I ACCEPT |