Carbon Quantum Dots (CQDs) and Alq3 polymer are being used to create efficient gas sensors. The CQDs are mixed with Alq3 to form a composite film, which is then deposited on glass substrates. The resulting sensor has shown a good response to nitrogen dioxide gas, with a sensitivity of 78%, a response time of 4 seconds, and a recovery time of 129 seconds. The Alq3 polymer enhances the sensor’s performance, reducing recovery time. Gas sensors are crucial in various fields, including medical and military, and the use of CQDs and Alq3 polymer is expected to improve their efficiency and reliability.
What are Carbon Quantum Dots and How are They Used in Gas Sensors?
Carbon Quantum Dots (CQDs) are tiny particles that have been used in the fabrication of gas sensors. These sensors are prepared using an electrochemical method, which involves mixing the CQDs with a polymer known as Tris (8-hydroxyquinoline) aluminum (III) or Alq3. The mixture is then deposited on glass substrates using a technique known as spin coating. The ratio of CQDs to Alq3 in the composite film is 1:1.
The gas sensor created using this method has shown a sensitivity of about 24% at a temperature of 300 degrees Celsius. This sensitivity was calculated after measuring the change in the resistance of the samples. The sensor has a response time of 2 seconds and a recovery time of 8 seconds.
The CQDs/Alq3 gas sensor has shown a good response to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) gas. However, when exposed to NO2 gas at 300 degrees Celsius, the sensitivity, response time, and recovery time for the CQDs gas sensor were 78%, 4 seconds, and 129 seconds respectively.
How Does the Alq3 Polymer Improve the Properties of the Gas Sensor?
The Alq3 polymer plays a crucial role in improving the properties of the gas sensor. The results of the study showed that the best sensor, CQDs/Alq3, led to a reduction in the recovery time. This indicates the importance of the Alq3 polymer in enhancing the performance of the gas sensor.
The Alq3 polymer, when mixed with CQDs, forms a composite film that is deposited on glass substrates. This composite film forms the basis of the gas sensor. The Alq3 polymer contributes to the sensitivity of the sensor, enabling it to detect changes in the resistance of the samples.
The Alq3 polymer also contributes to the response time and recovery time of the sensor. The response time refers to the time it takes for the sensor to detect the presence of gas, while the recovery time refers to the time it takes for the sensor to return to its original state after detecting the gas. The use of the Alq3 polymer in the fabrication of the sensor has led to a reduction in the recovery time, making the sensor more efficient.
What is the Importance of Gas Sensors and How Do They Work?
Gas sensors are devices that detect an input physical quantity and convert it into an electrical or optical signal that can be recognized by a receiver. They have become one of the important components in various fields, including the medical and military fields.
The working principle of gas sensors is to convert a change in chemical information into a change in electronic signal information, such as resistance. Given the importance of identifying gases that are harmful to the environment and humans, it has become necessary to manufacture environmental sensors with a high response speed to control emissions from factories.
Different gas sensors have been manufactured depending on the materials used. These materials include metal oxides, conductive polymers, carbon nanotubes, and others. The type of material used in the fabrication of the sensor determines its sensitivity, response time, and recovery time.
How are Carbon Quantum Dots and Alq3 Polymer Used in the Fabrication of Gas Sensors?
The fabrication of gas sensors using Carbon Quantum Dots (CQDs) and Alq3 polymer involves several steps. First, the CQDs are prepared using an electrochemical method. The CQDs are then mixed with the Alq3 polymer to form a composite.
This composite is then deposited on glass substrates using a spin coating technique. The ratio of CQDs to Alq3 in the composite film is 1:1. This composite film forms the basis of the gas sensor.
The gas sensor created using this method has shown a good response to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) gas. The sensitivity, response time, and recovery time of the sensor were measured after exposing it to NO2 gas at 300 degrees Celsius. The results showed that the sensor had a sensitivity of 78%, a response time of 4 seconds, and a recovery time of 129 seconds.
What are the Applications of Gas Sensors?
Gas sensors have a wide range of applications. One of the main applications is in the medical field. They are used to detect the presence of certain gases in the human body, which can be indicative of certain medical conditions.
In the military field, gas sensors are used to detect the presence of harmful gases in the environment. This is particularly important in situations where there is a risk of chemical or biological attacks.
Gas sensors are also used in the environmental sector to control emissions from factories. They are used to detect the presence of harmful gases in the environment and to monitor the level of these gases. This helps in the implementation of measures to reduce the emission of these gases and to protect the environment.
What are the Future Prospects of Gas Sensors?
The future prospects of gas sensors are promising. With the advancement in technology, it is expected that the sensitivity, response time, and recovery time of gas sensors will improve. This will make them more efficient and reliable in detecting the presence of harmful gases.
The use of new materials in the fabrication of gas sensors, such as Carbon Quantum Dots (CQDs) and Alq3 polymer, is expected to enhance the performance of these sensors. These materials have shown promising results in the fabrication of gas sensors, and their use is expected to increase in the future.
The demand for gas sensors is also expected to increase in the future due to the growing awareness about the harmful effects of certain gases on the environment and human health. This will drive the growth of the gas sensor market and will lead to the development of more advanced and efficient gas sensors.
Publication details: “Fabrication of Carbon Quantum Dots/Alq3 Layer for NO2 Gas Sensor”
Publication Date: 2024-06-01
Authors: N. Ahmed and Omar Adnan
Source: Iraqi journal of physics
DOI: https://doi.org/10.30723/ijp.v22i1.1214
