6,392 research outputs found

    Review on carbon-derived, solid-state, micro and nano sensors for electrochemical sensing applications

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    The aim of this review is to summarize the most relevant contributions in the development of electrochemical sensors based on carbon materials in the recent years. There have been increasing numbers of reports on the first application of carbon derived materials for the preparation of an electrochemical sensor. These include carbon nanotubes, diamond like carbon films and diamond film-based sensors demonstrating that the particular structure of these carbon material and their unique properties make them a very attractive material for the design of electrochemical biosensors and gas sensors. Carbon nanotubes (CNT) have become one of the most extensively studied nanostructures because of their unique properties. CNT can enhance the electrochemical reactivity of important biomolecules and can promote the electron-transfer reactions of proteins (including those where the redox center is embedded deep within the glycoprotein shell). In addition to enhanced electrochemical reactivity, CNT-modified electrodes have been shown useful to be coated with biomolecules (e.g., nucleic acids) and to alleviate surface fouling effects (such as those involved in the NADH oxidation process). The remarkable sensitivity of CNT conductivity with the surface adsorbates permits the use of CNT as highly sensitive nanoscale sensors. These properties make CNT extremely attractive for a wide range of electrochemical sensors ranging from amperometric enzyme electrodes to DNA hybridization biosensors. Recently, a CNT sensor based fast diagnosis method using non-treated blood assay has been developed for specific detection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) (human liver diseases, such as chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma caused by hepatitis B virus). The linear detection limits for HBV plasma is in the range 0.5–3.0 μL−1 and for anti- HBVs 0.035–0.242 mg/mL in a 0.1 M NH4H2PO4 electrolyte solution. These detection limits enables early detection of HBV infection in suspected serum samples. Therefore, non-treated blood serum can be directly applied for real-time sensitive detection in medical diagnosis as well as in direct in vivo monitoring. Synthetic diamond has been recognized as an extremely attractive material for both (bio-) chemical sensing and as an interface to biological systems. Synthetic diamond have outstanding electrochemical properties, superior chemical inertness and biocompatibility. Recent advances in the synthesis of highly conducting nanocrystalline-diamond thin films and nano wires have lead to an entirely new class of electrochemical biosensors and bio-inorganic interfaces. In addition, it also combines with development of new chemical approaches to covalently attach biomolecules on the diamond surface also contributed to the advancement of diamond-based biosensors. The feasibility of a capacitive field-effect EDIS (electrolyte-diamond-insulatorsemiconductor) platform for multi-parameter sensing is demonstrated with an O-terminated nanocrystalline-diamond (NCD) film as transducer material for the detection of pH and penicillin concentration. This has also been extended for the label-free electrical monitoring of adsorption and binding of charged macromolecules. One more recent study demonstrated a novel bio-sensing platform, which is introduced by combination of a) geometrically controlled DNA bonding using vertically aligned diamond nano-wires and b) the superior electrochemical sensing properties of diamond as transducer material. Diamond nanowires can be a new approach towards next generation electrochemical gene sensor platforms. This review highlights the advantages of these carbon materials to promote different electron transfer reactions specially those related to biomolecules. Different strategies have been applied for constructing carbon material-based electrochemical sensors, their analytical performance and future prospects are discussed

    Nanocomposite Films for Gas Sensing

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    Nanocomposite films are thin films formed by mixing two or more dissimilar materials having nano-dimensional phase(s) in order to control and develop new and improved structures and properties. The properties of nanocomposite films depend not only on the individual components used but also on the morphology and the interfacial characteristics. Nanocomposite films that combine materials with synergetic or complementary behaviours possess unique physical, chemical, optical, mechanical, magnetic and electrical properties unavailable from that of the component materials and have attracted much attention for a wide range of device applications such as gas sensors.NRC publication: Ye

    Artificial olfactory system for multi-component analysis of gas mixtures.

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    Gas analysis is an important part of our world and gas sensing technology is becoming more essential for various aspects of our life. A novel approach for gas mixture analysis by using portable gas chromatography in combination with an array of highly integrated and selective metal oxide (MOX) sensors has been studied. We developed a system with small size (7 x 13 x 16 inches), low power consumption (~10 W) and absence of special carrier gases designed for portable field analysis (assuming apriori calibration). Low ppb and even sub-ppb level of detection for some VOCs was achieved during the analysis of 50 ml of gas samples. A detailed description of our innovative design of multi-sensory platforms based on MOX sensors for multidimensional portable gas chromatography is provided in detail in this work. As a part of this effort, we successfully synthesized nanocomposite gas sensors based on SnO2 for selective detection of hydrogen sulfide, mercaptans, alcohols, ketones and heavy hydrocarbons. The morphology of the prepared sensors was closely studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), transition electron microscopy (TEM) and X-Ray diffraction (XRD). Optical and electrical properties of polycrystalline SnO2 were investigated by using UV-Vis spectroscopy, transmission line measurement (TLM) and four probe resistance measurement techniques. Furthermore, more advanced gas sensing performance for detection of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and O-xylene (BTEX) of polycrystalline SnO2 film (30 nm) coated with bimetal Au:Pd (9:1 molar ratio) nanoclusters was measured. Finally, besides the experimental result, the theoretical validation of the detector’s performance was provided based on high catalytic activity of nanocomposite materials and its superior electronic structure for gas detection compared to the polycrystalline SnO2. The theoretical background of gas chemisorption process at the surface of polycrystalline SnO2 was reviewed in this work. Furthermore, one dimensional Poisson equation relates surface energy states ( and ) and the bulk electronic structure ( and ) of polycrystalline SnO2. The main theory of electronic processes on the surface of semiconductors during the gas chemisorption was further applied in a case of nanocomposite materials

    Design And Fabrication Of Chemiresistor Typemicro/nano Hydrogen Gas Sensors Usinginterdigitated Electrodes

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    Hydrogen sensors have obtained increased interest with the widened application of hydrogen energy in recent years. Among them, various chemiresistor based hydrogen sensors have been studied due to their relatively simple structure and well-established detection mechanism. The recent progress in micro/nanotechnology has accelerated the development of small-scale chemical sensors. In this work, MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) sensor platforms with interdigitated electrodes have been designed and fabricated. Integrating indium doped tin dioxide nanoparticles, these hydrogen sensors showed improved sensor characteristics such as sensitivity, response and selectivity at room temperature. Design parameters of interdigitated electrodes have been studied in association with sensor characteristics. It was observed that these parameters (gap between the electrodes, width and length of the fingers, and the number of the fingers) imposed different impacts on the sensor performance. In order to achieve small, robust, low cost and fast hydrogen micro/nano sensors with high sensitivity and selectivity, the modeling and process optimization was performed. The effect of humidity and the influence of the applied voltage were also studied. The sensor could be tuned to have high sensitivity (105), fast response time (10 seconds) and low energy consumption (19 nW). Finally, a portable hydrogen instrument integrated with a micro sensor, display, sound warning system, and measurement circuitry was fabricated based on the calibration data of the sensor

    Biomimetic route to hybrid nano-Composite scaffold for tissue engineering

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    Hydroxyapatite-poly(vinyl) alcohol-protein composites have been prepared by a biomimetic route at ambient conditions, aged for a fortnight at 30±2°C and given a shape in the form of blocks by thermal cycling. The structural characterizations reveal a good control over the morphology mainly the size and shape of the particles. Initial mechanical studies are very encouraging. Three biocompatibility tests, i.e., hemocompatibility, cell adhesion, and toxicity have been done from Shree Chitra Tirunal, Trivandrum and the results qualify their standards. Samples are being sent for more biocompatibility tests. Optimization of the blocks in terms of hydroxyapatite and polymer composition w.r.t the applications and its affect on the mechanical strength have been initiated. Rapid prototyping and a β-tricalcium – hydroxyapatite combination in composites are in the offing

    Work function engineering of graphene

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    Graphene is a two dimensional one atom thick allotrope of carbon that displays unusual crystal structure, electronic characteristics, charge transport behavior, optical clarity, physical & mechanical properties, thermal conductivity and much more that is yet to be discovered. Consequently, it has generated unprecedented excitement in the scientific community; and is of great interest to wide ranging industries including semiconductor, optoelectronics and printed electronics. Graphene is considered to be a next-generation conducting material with a remarkable band-gap structure, and has the potential to replace traditional electrode materials in optoelectronic devices. It has also been identified as one of the most promising materials for post-silicon electronics. For many such applications, modulation of the electrical and optical properties, together with tuning the band gap and the resulting work function of zero band gap graphene are critical in achieving the desired properties and outcome. In understanding the importance, a number of strategies including various functionalization, doping and hybridization have recently been identified and explored to successfully alter the work function of graphene. In this review we primarily highlight the different ways of surface modification, which have been used to specifically modify the band gap of graphene and its work function. This article focuses on the most recent perspectives, current trends and gives some indication of future challenges and possibilities.Rajni Garg, Naba K. Dutta and Namita Roy Choudhur

    Semiconducting Metal Oxide Based Sensors for Selective Gas Pollutant Detection

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    A review of some papers published in the last fifty years that focus on the semiconducting metal oxide (SMO) based sensors for the selective and sensitive detection of various environmental pollutants is presented

    Graphene — A Platform for Sensor and Biosensor Applications

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    Graphene, mother of all carbon materials, has opened up new era of exploration due to its unique properties. Graphene, one-atom thick, exhibits a unique chemical structure and outstanding electronic, optical, thermal, and mechanical properties that made it compelling for various engineering applications. Graphene and graphene-based materials are promising candidates for fabricating state-of-the-art nano-scale sensors and biosensors. They featured with good conductivity and large specific surface area thereby; graphene-based sensors/biosensors performed well with good accuracy, rapidness, high sensitivity and selectivity, low detection limits, and long-term stability. They are ideally used as gas sensors, electrochemical sensors for heavy metal ions, immunosensors and dihydronicotinamide dinucleotide NADH, DNA, catecholamine neurotransmitters, paracetamol, glucose, H2O2, hemoglobin, and myoglobin biosensors. This chapter reviews the applications of graphene in nanotechnology since it came to the field particularly in sensing and biosensing applications. It updates the reader with the scientific progress of the current use of graphene as sensors and biosensors. There is still much room for the scientific research and application development of graphene-based theory, materials, and devices. Despite the vast amount of research already conducted on graphene for various applications, the field is still growing and many questions remain to be answered

    Diamond semiconductor technology for RF device applications

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    This paper presents a comprehensive review of diamond electronics from the RF perspective. Our aim was to find and present the potential, limitations and current status of diamond semiconductor devices as well as to investigate its suitability for RF device applications. While doing this, we briefly analysed the physics and chemistry of CVD diamond process for a better understanding of the reasons for the technological challenges of diamond material. This leads to Figure of Merit definitions which forms the basis for a technology choice in an RF device/system (such as transceiver or receiver) structure. Based on our literature survey, we concluded that, despite the technological challenges and few mentioned examples, diamond can seriously be considered as a base material for RF electronics, especially RF power circuits, where the important parameters are high speed, high power density, efficient thermal management and low signal loss in high power/frequencies. Simulation and experimental results are highly regarded for the surface acoustic wave (SAW) and field emission (FE) devices which already occupies space in the RF market and are likely to replace their conventional counterparts. Field effect transistors (FETs) are the most promising active devices and extremely high power densities are extracted (up to 30 W/mm). By the surface channel FET approach 81 GHz operation is developed. Bipolar devices are also promising if the deep doping problem can be solved for operation at room temperature. Pressure, thermal, chemical and acceleration sensors have already been demonstrated using micromachining/MEMS approach, but need more experimental results to better exploit thermal, physical/chemical and electronic properties of diamond
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