MICROPOWER GAS SENSOR BASED ON THE COMPOSITION TUNGSTEN OXIDE AND MULTIWALL CARBON NANOTUBES

Abstract

Gas-sensitive composition of tungsten oxide, prepared by sol gel method, with multiwall carbon nanotubes was investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), measuring the electrical conductivity and surface area. Micro-power sensors (P ≤ 85 mW), containing WO3 ‑MWCNT as a sensing element were manufactured and tested. The greatest sensitivity to propane (≤ 400 %) was observed at substrate temperature below 200 ºC, while appreciable sensitivity to NO2 (≥ 300 %) was observed at higher temperatures (T ≈ 240 ºC or higher). Adding MWCNTs has no significant effect on sensitivity to hydrogen around the temperature range studied (current heating 21–75 mA). Gas sensor’s sensitivity to NO2 in a certain operating temperature range are more than 1000 %. The investigated gas-sensitive composition of tungsten oxide with MWCNTs is suitable for creating highly sensitive semiconductor sensors for combustible gases and nitrogen dioxide (including equipments for environmental air monitoring). The sensors have a high-speed response and recovery, and low power consumption.

Keywords

• gas sensor
• sol-gel method
• tungsten trioxide
• indium oxide
• carbon nanotubes