Hydrogen Gas Sensors Based on Semiconductor Oxide Nanostructures

Abstract

Recently, the hydrogen gas sensing properties of semiconductor oxide (SMO) nanostructures have been widely investigated. In this article, we provide a comprehensive review of the research progress in the last five years concerning hydrogen gas sensors based on SMO thin film and one-dimensional (1D) nanostructures. The hydrogen sensing mechanism of SMO nanostructures and some critical issues are discussed. Doping, noble metal-decoration, heterojunctions and size reduction have been investigated and proved to be effective methods for improving the sensing performance of SMO thin films and 1D nanostructures. The effect on the hydrogen response of SMO thin films and 1D nanostructures of grain boundary and crystal orientation, as well as the sensor architecture, including electrode size and nanojunctions have also been studied. Finally, we also discuss some challenges for the future applications of SMO nanostructured hydrogen sensors.

Novel Preparation of Fe Doped TiO2 Nanoparticles and Their Application for Gas Sensor and Photocatalytic Degradation

“…The H 2 gas sensing mechanism of the resistive sensor base on metal oxide semiconductors was proposed in previous reports [18][19][20]. In current measurement (temperature range 160 ∘ C < substrate < 270 ∘ C), the O − and O 2− oxygen ions are the dominant species on the surface of metal oxide semiconductors.…”

Nanoscale tin dioxide films and zinc oxide hierarchical nanostructures for gas sensing applications

“…Nanoscale tin dioxide (SnO 2 ) and zinc oxide (ZnO) layers are promising candidates for preparation of sensing elements for metal oxide semiconductor gas sensors [1][2][3][4][5][6]. Semiconducting metal oxide thin films exhibit changes in their electrical conductivity with small amount of reducing or oxidizing gases, which provide sensors with several advantages such as low cost, short response time, wide range of target gases and high sensitivity [1,7].…”

“…As compared with other metal oxides, tin dioxide and zinc oxide exhibit gas sensitive properties at relatively low temperatures (100…350 o C) [2,4], which provides a low power consumption of the sensors. Chemical durability of tin dioxide allows using the SnO 2 based gas sensors for detection of the majority of controlled gaseous impurities in the air including the aggressive ones.…”

Electrical transport property of ZnO thin films at high H2 pressures up to 20 bar

“…Especially, ZnO thin film is known to be very sensitive to hydrogen gas [12]. Hydrogen sensing mechanism has been understood as follows.…”