Co/ZnO nanorods system for magnetic gas sensing applications

Year: 2017

Authors: Baratto C., Rigoni F., Cattabiani N., Ferroni M., Sberveglieri G., Barrera G., Tiberto P., Allia P.

Autors Affiliation: SENSOR LAB, CNR – INO, University of Brescia, Italy; Nanoscienze and Material Division, INRIM, Torino, Italy; Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Italy

Abstract: The ideal chemical gas sensors would provide a device capable of being sensible, selective and stable. To improve the state of the art metal oxide gas sensors two approaches are pursued: obtaining nanosized, single crystalline metal oxide nanorods, and introducing innovative transduction principle. The first approach ensures high surface area for gas interaction coupled with the higher stability. The second approach could overcome limitations on the performances achievable and set a new milestone in the field. In this work magnetic gas sensing tests were carried out, using a MOKE (magneto-optical Kerr effect) magnetometer, showing that it is possible to exploit a new mechanism for sensing devices. The sensing layer, based on Co layer covered by ZnO nanorods, was entirely deposited by RF sputtering. The device showed very good H2 detection at room temperature. The current work focuses on the characterization of the sensing heterostructure based on Co/ZnO nanorods by volumetric magnetization measurements and by MOKE measurements in air and in gas. A model for H2 sensing is also formulated.

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More Information: Sponsors: IEEE,IEEE Sensors Council
KeyWords: Chemical detection; Chemical sensors; Cobalt; Gas detectors; Gas sensing electrodes; Gases; Metallic compounds; Metals; Nanorods; Zinc oxide, Chemical gas sensors; Gas sensing applications; H2; Magnetization measurements; Magneto-optical Kerr effects; Metal oxide gas sensors; MOKE; ZnO nanorod, Optical Kerr effect