Highly sensitive ultra-thin optical CO2 gas sensors using nanowall honeycomb structure and plasmonic nanoparticles

Abstract

The carbon dioxide highly sensitive ultra-thin optical sensor using plasmonic nanoparticles distributed uniformly on the nanowall honeycomb structure with a footprint in the millimeter range is presented in this work. The zinc oxide (ZnO) honeycomb nanowall structure is grown by the pulsed laser deposition (PLD) method. Moreover, the performance of the fabricated structure as a gas nanosensor is simulated using the finite difference time domain (FDTD) method in the visible and near-infrared regions. A graphene layer is mounted on the top of the nanowall, and then, plasmonic nanoparticles are distributed on the nanowall sides. Furthermore, the effect of gas concentration on the pressure and consequently on the dielectric constant of the gas are also illustrated in this article. Red-shift in the absorption has been noticed with different refractive indices and intensity sensitivities. The obtained refractive index sensitivity of the proposed nano optical sensor is 874 nm/RIU, and the intensity sensitivity is 5,174 RIU−1 with the figure of merit of 12.5 and quality factor (Q-factor) of 281 at a carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration of 5,500 ppm. Finally, the absorbed power of the incident light is calculated using different polarization angles, from 10° to 80° with a step10°.

Nano Revolution: “Tiny tech, big impact: How nanotechnology is driving SDGs progress"

“…Graphene is composed of a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice. It is an excellent conductor of electricity and heat and possesses exceptional mechanical strength [ [32] , [33] , [34] , [35] , [36] , [37] , [38] ]. ( Fig.…”

“…Nanotechnology can also enhance the energy efficiency of buildings, vehicles, and manufacturing processes, reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, nanotechnology-based sensors [ 38 , [75] , [76] , [77] ] can be used to monitor energy usage in real-time, improving the efficiency of energy distribution systems. Finally, it can be used to create off-grid renewable energy solutions that supply electricity to remote areas lacking access to conventional power networks.…”

“…By using nanotechnology, renewable energy sources (Goal 7), like solar cells and fuel cells, can be made more effective and affordable, and versions of energy storage devices like batteries and capacitors can be made stronger and more effective. Furthermore, carbon dioxide emissions [ 38 , 95 , 96 ] from industrial operations can be captured and stored using nano-based materials, which lowers greenhouse gas emissions [ [97] , [98] , [99] ], using Nano-Zeolite, which can be achieved by increasing the energy efficiency of structures, transportation, and manufacturing techniques. Additionally, nanosensors can be used to continuously monitor environmental [ 53 , 56 , 60 , 83 , [100] , [101] , [102] ] conditions, spotting potential problems before they become serious and assisting in reducing the effects of climate change on ecosystems.…”

Plasmonic Perfect Absorber Utilizing Polyhexamethylene Biguanide Polymer for Carbon Dioxide Gas Sensing Application

“…A design of a CO 2 gas sensor based on silicon micro-ring refractometric is investigated in [ 42 ], using a coating of the functional layer to sense different concentrations, i.e., 0–500 ppm of the CO 2 gas, attaining a sensitivity value of 6 × 10 −9 RIU/ppm. To design an efficient CO 2 gas sensor, [ 43 ] uses a graphene layer on a nano-wall honeycomb structure with distributed plasmonics particles, achieving an overall sensitivity of 874 nm/RIU. Moreover, silicon photonics is gaining attention over silicon electronics in terms of speed, power, and bandwidth, specifically relating to the gas sensing applications as studied in [ 44 ], which investigates different techniques and design approaches, such as the PhC-based gas sensor, dual gas sensors, and trace gas sensors.…”