Role of thermal and UV activation on microwave treated NiO nanoparticles for VOC sensing

• Published in: Journal of materials science. Materials in electronics Vol. 34; no. 6; p. 464
• Main Authors: Lekshmi, M. S., Suja, K. J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.02.2023; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Acetone; Caustic soda; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Diabetes; Gas sensors; Gases; Glass substrates; Materials Science; Metal oxides; Nanoparticles; Nickel oxides; Optical and Electronic Materials; Selectivity; Sensors; Spectrum analysis; Ultraviolet radiation; VOCs; Volatile organic compounds
• ISSN: 0957-4522; 1573-482X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10854-022-09678-5

Measuring exhaled volatile organic compounds (VOC) in human breath is a promising method for diagnosing diseases. Acetone is a VOC that can be found in human breath. Diabetes is indicated by acetone levels in human breath that are higher than 1.8 ppm. In this work, an analysis was done to improve the dynamics of the acetone sensors based on nickel oxide nanoparticles. Temperature and UV activation of pressure-controlled microwave treated nanoparticles are investigated. The sensitivity of the NiO sensor towards acetone under UV irradiation and thermal activation was analyzed. It was found that the responsiveness and selectivity of the suggested gas sensor could be greatly improved by combining both temperature and UV activation. When activated by UV light, the sensor’s working temperature dropped to 180 °C. Furthermore, the gas sensor activated with both UV and temperature showed better selectivity and repeatability to acetone.