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Laser-Deposited Carbon Aerogel Derived from Graphene Oxide Enables NO2-Selective Parts-per-Billion Sensing

Nufer, Sebastian; Lynch, Peter J.; Large, Matthew J.; Ogilvie, Sean P.; Salvage, Jonathan P.; Pelaez-Fernandez, Mario; Waters, Thomas; Jurewicz, Izabela; Munoz, Edgar; Arenal, Raul; Benito, Ana M.; Maser, Wolfgang K.; Tagmatarchis, Nikos; Ewels, Christophe

ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
2020
VL / 12 - BP / 39541 - EP / 39548
abstract
Laser-deposited carbon aerogel is a low-density porous network of carbon clusters synthesized using a laser process. A one-step synthesis, involving deposition and annealing, results in the formation of a thin porous conductive film which can be applied as a chemiresistor. This material is sensitive to NO2 compared to ammonia and other volatile organic compounds and is able to detect ultra-low concentrations down to at least 10 parts-per-billion. The sensing mechanism, based on the solubility of NO2 in the water layer adsorbed on the aerogel, increases the usability of the sensor in practically relevant ambient environments. A heating step, achieved in tandem with a microheater, allows the recovery to the baseline, making it operable in real world environments. This, in combination with its low cost and scalable production, makes it promising for Internet-of-Things air quality monitoring.

AccesS level

Green accepted

MENTIONS DATA