Detection of Nitric Oxide and Nitrogen Dioxide with Photoluminescent Porous Silicon

Abstract

The visible photoluminescence of porous Si is quenched by nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide to detection limits of 1.4 × 10(-)(3) and 5.3 × 10(-)(5) Torr, respectively (corresponding to 2 ppm and 70 ppb). At analyte partial pressures in the low milliTorr range, the photoluminescence quenching is partially reversible; recovery from nitrogen oxide exposure occurs on a time scale of minutes. For both NO and NO(2), the reversible photoluminescence quenching response fits a Stern-Volmer kinetic model. At higher partial pressures, quenching deviates from Stern-Volmer kinetics and some permanent loss of photoluminescence intensity occurs due to oxidation of the porous Si surface. Photoluminescence from porous Si is not quenched by nitrous oxide or carbon dioxide and only slightly quenched by carbon monoxide and oxygen.

Detection of Nitrobenzene, DNT, and TNT Vapors by Quenching of Porous Silicon Photoluminescence

“…[27±29] Although PL from porous Si was quenched by NO 2(g) , [13] the process was less efficient than quenching by DNT or TNT. Thus, catalytic combustion can be used to determine the presence of nitroaromatic compounds in the analyte stream.…”

“…[8,12] In addition, corrosive molecules, such as NO 2 , can quench luminescence by introducing nonradiative defects on the surface of the silicon nanocrystallites. [13,14] Introduction of a very small number of defects can have a dramatic effect on luminescence; in the case of NO 2 , detectable changes are observed with exposures as low as 70 ppb. [13] Nitroaromatic molecules have two features that are relevant to the detection methods outlined above.…”

“…[13,14] Introduction of a very small number of defects can have a dramatic effect on luminescence; in the case of NO 2 , detectable changes are observed with exposures as low as 70 ppb. [13] Nitroaromatic molecules have two features that are relevant to the detection methods outlined above. First, they are good electron acceptors and the quenching of PL from porous Si by an electron transfer process has been demonstrated for a variety of nitro-substituted molecules, in particular dinitrobenzene.…”

Selective Response of Mesoporous Silicon to Adsorbants with Nitro Groups

“…[16] All the above features of PSi are critical for detection of trace levels of explosives, such as TNT and cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (RDX), which exhibit very low pressures of saturated vapours (in the ppb to ppt range). [8] Finally, PSi has previously been shown to have sub-ppm sensitivity to NO and NO 2 gas, [41] and an NO 2 sensor using changes in conductance of PSi has been demonstrated to work well in a range of ambient temperatures and humidities. [42][43][44].…”

Enhanced Zinc Oxide and Graphene Nanostructures for Electronics and Sensing Applications

“…Also, detection of NO concentration in exhaled gases has become standard medical practice for monitoring chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) [142]. The most common techniques available for monitoring exhaled NO are based on chemiluminescence and photochemical methods which involve huge system and expertise [143,144]. Though one portable NO analyzer, based on electrochemical technique has already been developed by Hemmingsson et.…”