VOCs Sensing by Metal Oxides, Conductive Polymers, and Carbon-Based Materials

journal article in Web of Science

English

This review summarizes the recent research efforts and developments in nanomaterials for sensing volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The discussion focuses on key materials such as metal oxides (e.g., ZnO, SnO2, TiO2 WO3), conductive polymers (e.g., polypyrrole, polythiophene, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)), and carbon-based materials (e.g., graphene, graphene oxide, carbon nanotubes), and their mutual combination due to their representativeness in VOCs sensing. Moreover, it delves into the main characteristics and tuning of these materials to achieve enhanced functionality (sensitivity, selectivity, speed of response, and stability). The usual synthesis methods and their advantages towards their integration with microsystems for practical applications are also remarked on. The literature survey shows the most successful systems include structured morphologies, particularly hierarchical structures at the nanometric scale, with intentionally introduced tunable "decorative impurities" or well-defined interfaces forming bilayer structures. These groups of modified or functionalized structures, in which metal oxides are still the main protagonists either as host or guest elements, have proved improvements in VOCs sensing. The work also identifies the need to explore new hybrid material combinations, as well as the convenience of incorporating other transducing principles further than resistive that allow the exploitation of mixed output concepts (e.g., electric, optic, mechanic).

volatile organic compounds; gas sensors; nanomaterials

TOMIC, M.; ŠETKA, M.; VOJKŮVKA, L.; VALLEJOS VARGAS, S.

1. 2. 2021

MDPI

BASEL

2079-4991

Nanomaterials

11

2

Swiss Confederation

1

33

33

https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/11/2/552

http://hdl.handle.net/11012/203235