Chemosensors

Research

Jump to: Review

13 pages, 3172 KiB

Open AccessArticle

WO₃-LaFeO₃ Nanocomposites for Highly Sensitive Detection of Acetone Vapor at Low Operating Temperatures

by Ensi Cao, Yixuan Zhang, Li Sun, Bing Sun, Wentao Hao, Yongjia Zhang and Zhongquan Nie

Chemosensors 2023, 11(8), 439; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors11080439 - 06 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 925

Abstract

The development of a rapid, highly sensitive, and dependable acetone sensor holds significant importance for human health and safety. To enhance the acetone sensing performance of LaFeO₃ nanoparticles for practical applications, commercial n-type WO₃ nanoparticles were incorporated as additives. They were [...] Read more.

The development of a rapid, highly sensitive, and dependable acetone sensor holds significant importance for human health and safety. To enhance the acetone sensing performance of LaFeO₃ nanoparticles for practical applications, commercial n-type WO₃ nanoparticles were incorporated as additives. They were directly mixed with LaFeO₃ nanoparticles produced through a sol-gel method, creating a series of WO₃-LFO nanocomposites with varying mass ratios. These nanocomposites were characterized using XRD, SEM, BET, and XPS techniques. Compared to pure LFO nanoparticles, the prepared nanocomposites exhibited larger specific surface areas with enhanced surface reactivity. The introduction of p-n heterojunctions through the mixing process improved the regulation of acetone molecules on internal carrier conduction within nanocomposites. As a result, the nanocomposites demonstrated superior acetone sensing performance in terms of optimal operating temperature, vapor response value, selectivity, and response/recovery speed. Notably, the nanocomposites with a 5wt% addition of WO₃ showed the lowest optimal operating temperature (132 °C), the fastest response/recovery speed (28/9 s), and the highest selectivity against ethanol, methanol, and EG. On the other hand, the nanocomposites with a 10wt% addition of WO₃ displayed the maximum vapor response value (55.1 to 100 ppm) at an optimal operating temperature of 138 °C, along with relatively good repeatability, stability, and selectivity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Sensors for Bio-Medical and Environmental Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 3552 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Gas-Sensing Performance of Gadolinium Ferrates with Rod and Butterfly Morphologies

by Jianbo Lin, Ningning Liu, Tongxiao Zhang, Hongjian Liang, Guozheng Zhang and Xiaofeng Wang

Chemosensors 2023, 11(7), 355; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors11070355 - 23 Jun 2023

Viewed by 990

Abstract

There is an urgent need to develop a low-cost and high-performance gas sensor for industrial production and daily life. Perovskite-type oxides are appropriate materials for resistive gas sensors. In this paper, two gas-sensing materials of gadolinium orthoferrite (GdFeO₃) with rod and [...] Read more.

There is an urgent need to develop a low-cost and high-performance gas sensor for industrial production and daily life. Perovskite-type oxides are appropriate materials for resistive gas sensors. In this paper, two gas-sensing materials of gadolinium orthoferrite (GdFeO₃) with rod and butterfly morphologies were obtained by annealing the corresponding precursors at 800 °C in a muffle furnace for 3 h. The precursors of GdFe(CN)₆·4H₂O with novel morphologies were prepared by a co-precipitation method at room temperature. The materials were evaluated in terms of their structure, morphology, and gas-sensing performance. The gas sensor based on GdFeO₃ rods showed a better sensing performance than the sensor based on GdFeO₃ butterflies. It exhibited the largest response value of 58.113 to 100 ppm n-propanol at a relatively low operating temperature of 140 °C, and the detection limit was 1 ppm. The results show that the GdFeO₃ rods-based sensor performed well in detecting low concentration n-propanol. The satisfactory gas-sensing performance of the GdFeO₃ rods-based sensor may be due to the porous structure and the large percentages of defect oxygen and adsorbed oxygen (37.5% and 14.6%) on the surface. This study broadens the application of GdFeO₃ in the gas sensor area. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Sensors for Bio-Medical and Environmental Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 2507 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Plasma-Sputtered Growth of Ni-Pd Bimetallic Nanoparticles on Carbon Nanotubes for Toluene Sensing

by Selene Acosta, Juan Casanova-Chafer, Eduard Llobet, Axel Hemberg, Mildred Quintana and Carla Bittencourt

Chemosensors 2023, 11(6), 328; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors11060328 - 02 Jun 2023

Viewed by 1249

Abstract

The properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can be effectively tailored by decorating their surface with metal nanoparticles. For the decoration, first plasma functionalization is used to add oxygen chemical groups to the CNTs surface. Afterwards, the Ox-CNTs are decorated with Ni-Pd bimetallic nanoparticles [...] Read more.

The properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can be effectively tailored by decorating their surface with metal nanoparticles. For the decoration, first plasma functionalization is used to add oxygen chemical groups to the CNTs surface. Afterwards, the Ox-CNTs are decorated with Ni-Pd bimetallic nanoparticles using plasma sputtering deposition, a clean, fast, and environmentally friendly functionalization method. The grafted oxygen groups serve as nucleation sites for the growth of the bimetallic nanoparticles. Finally, the Ni-Pd nanoparticle-decorated CNTs are assessed as a sensing layer for the detection of toluene. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Sensors for Bio-Medical and Environmental Applications)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

16 pages, 3891 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Application of Combined Visible and Ultraviolet Irradiation to Improve the Functional Characteristics of Gas Sensors Based on ZnO/SnO₂ and ZnO/Au Nanorods

by Alexandra P. Ivanishcheva, Victor V. Sysoev, Khabibulla A. Abdullin, Andrey V. Nesterenko, Soslan A. Khubezhov and Victor V. Petrov

Chemosensors 2023, 11(3), 200; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors11030200 - 20 Mar 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1496

Abstract

Arrays of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods were synthesized over quartz substrates by the hydrothermal method. These nanorods were grown in a predominantly vertical orientation with lengths of 500–800 nm and an average cross-sectional size of 40–80 nm. Gold, with average sizes of 9 [...] Read more.

Arrays of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods were synthesized over quartz substrates by the hydrothermal method. These nanorods were grown in a predominantly vertical orientation with lengths of 500–800 nm and an average cross-sectional size of 40–80 nm. Gold, with average sizes of 9 ± 1 nm and 4 ± 0.5 nm, and tin nanoclusters, with average sizes of 30 ± 5 nm and 15 ± 3 nm, were formed on top of the ZnO nanorods. Annealing was carried out at 300 °C for 2 h to form ZnO/SnO₂ and ZnO/Au nanorods. The resulting nanorod-arrayed films were comprehensively studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). To fabricate resistive sensor elements, the films were supplied with V/Ni contact metallization on top of the nanorods. The gas sensor performance of the prepared films was evaluated at various temperatures in order to select 200 °C as the optimum one which enabled a selective detection of NO₂. Adding UV-viz irradiation via a light-emitting diode, λ = 400 nm, allowed us to reduce the working temperature to 50 °C and to advance the detection limit of NO₂ to 0.5 ppm. The minimum response time of the samples was 92 s, which is 9 times faster than in studies without exposure to UV-viz radiation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Sensors for Bio-Medical and Environmental Applications)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

15 pages, 6922 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Highly Sensitive p-SmFeO₃/p-YFeO₃ Planar-Electrode Sensor for Detection of Volatile Organic Compounds

by Huiyang Liu, Denghui Zhu, Tingting Miao, Weikang Liu, Juan Chen, Bin Cheng, Hongwei Qin and Jifan Hu

Chemosensors 2023, 11(3), 187; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors11030187 - 10 Mar 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1255

Abstract

Nanocomposites of SmFeO₃/YFeO₃ (1:0, 0.8:0.2, 0.6:0.4, 0.4:0.6, 0.2:0.8, and 0:1) with different molar proportions were prepared by the sol–gel method. The material’s properties were characterized by various test methods, such as scanning-electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron-diffraction spectrometry (XPS). The [...] Read more.

Nanocomposites of SmFeO₃/YFeO₃ (1:0, 0.8:0.2, 0.6:0.4, 0.4:0.6, 0.2:0.8, and 0:1) with different molar proportions were prepared by the sol–gel method. The material’s properties were characterized by various test methods, such as scanning-electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron-diffraction spectrometry (XPS). The gas-sensing characteristics of the sensor were tested in darkness and under illumination using monochromatic light with various selected wavelengths. The test results show that the SmFeO₃/YFeO₃ sensor with the molar ratio of 0.4:0.6 had the highest gas response to volatile organic compound (VOC) gases and that the optimum operating temperature was lower (120 °C). The light illumination improved the sensor’s sensitivity to gas. Under the 370-nanometer light illumination, the sensor’s responses to 30 ppm of ethanol, acetone, and methanol gases were 163.59, 134.02, and 111.637, respectively, which were 1.35, 1.28, and 1.59 times higher, respectively, than those without light. The high gas sensitivity of the sensor was mainly due to the adsorption of oxygen on the material’s surface and the formation of a p–p heterojunction. The SmFeO₃/YFeO₃ sensor, which can respond to different VOC gases, can be used to detect the safety of unknown environments and provide a timely warning of the presence of dangerous gases in working environments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Sensors for Bio-Medical and Environmental Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 3244 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Improving the Detection Accuracy of an Ag/Au Bimetallic Surface Plasmon Resonance Biosensor Based on Graphene

by Qi Wang, Shuhua Cao, Xufeng Gao, Xinrui Chen and Dawei Zhang

Chemosensors 2022, 10(1), 10; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors10010010 - 27 Dec 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2478

Abstract

A theoretical study was conducted with the aim of improving the detection accuracy of graphene-based surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensors. We studied the effect of applying a bias voltage to the sensor surface on its detection accuracy. The optimum thicknesses of silver and [...] Read more.

A theoretical study was conducted with the aim of improving the detection accuracy of graphene-based surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensors. We studied the effect of applying a bias voltage to the sensor surface on its detection accuracy. The optimum thicknesses of silver and gold layers in the biosensor of 47 nm and 3 nm, respectively, were determined. Graphene layers deposited on these thin silver and gold films formed a sensor surface system, on which the surface plasmons were excited. The real and imaginary parts of the refractive index of graphene were controlled by the bias voltage. When the chemical potential was increased from 36 meV to 8 eV, the detection accuracy of the sensor was correspondingly increased by 213%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Sensors for Bio-Medical and Environmental Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 6178 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Bi₂S₃/rGO Composite Based Electrochemical Sensor for Ascorbic Acid Detection

by Chengling Qu, He Li, Shuang Zhou, Guodong Li, Cheng Wang, Rony Snyders, Carla Bittencourt and Wenjiang Li

Chemosensors 2021, 9(8), 190; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors9080190 - 23 Jul 2021

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 3015

Abstract

The engineering of an efficient electrochemical sensor based on a bismuth sulfide/reduced graphene oxide (Bi₂S₃/rGO) composite to detect ascorbic acid (AA) is reported. The Bi₂S₃ nanorods/rGO composite was synthesized using a facile hydrothermal method. By varying [...] Read more.

The engineering of an efficient electrochemical sensor based on a bismuth sulfide/reduced graphene oxide (Bi₂S₃/rGO) composite to detect ascorbic acid (AA) is reported. The Bi₂S₃ nanorods/rGO composite was synthesized using a facile hydrothermal method. By varying the amount of graphene oxide (GO) added to the synthesis, the morphology and size of Bi₂S₃ nanorods anchored on the surface of rGO can be tuned. Compared to a bare glassy carbon electrode (GCE), the GCE modified with Bi₂S₃/rGO composite presented enhanced electrochemical performance, which was attributed to the optimal electron transport between the rGO support and the loaded Bi₂S₃ as well as to an increase in the number of active catalytic sites. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis of Bi₂S₃/rGO/GCE demonstrate that the active Bi₂S₃/rGO layer on GCE plays an important role in the electrochemical behavior of the sensor. In particular, the Bi₂S₃/rGO/GCE sensor shows a wide detecting range (5.0–1200 μM), low detection limit (2.9 µM), good sensitivity (268.8 μA mM⁻¹ cm⁻²), and sufficient recovery values (97.1–101.6%) for the detection of ascorbic acid. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Sensors for Bio-Medical and Environmental Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 31870 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Thiol-Amine Functionalized Decorated Carbon Nanotubes for Biomarker Gases Detection

by Atef Thamri, Hamdi Baccar, Juan Casanova-Chafer, Moataz Billeh Mejri, Eduard Llobet and Adnane Abdelghani

Chemosensors 2021, 9(5), 87; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors9050087 - 23 Apr 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2934

Abstract

Thousands of gas molecules are expelled in exhaled breath, and some of them can reveal diseases and metabolomic disorders. For that reason, the development of fast, inexpensive, and reliable sensing devices has been attracting growing interest. Here, we present the development of different [...] Read more.

Thousands of gas molecules are expelled in exhaled breath, and some of them can reveal diseases and metabolomic disorders. For that reason, the development of fast, inexpensive, and reliable sensing devices has been attracting growing interest. Here, we present the development of different chemoresistors based on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) decorated with platinum (MWCNT/Pt) and palladium (MWCNT/Pt) nanoparticles and also functionalized with a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of 11-amino-1-undecanethiol (Thiol-amine). The nanocomposites developed are a proof-of-concept to detect some biomarker molecules. Specifically, the capability to identify and measure different concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), either aromatic (toluene and benzene) and non-aromatic (ethanol and methanol) was assessed. As a result, this paper reports the significant differences in sensing performance achieved according to the metal nanoparticle used, and the high sensitivity obtained when SAMs are grown on the sensitive film, acting as a receptor for biomarker vapours. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Sensors for Bio-Medical and Environmental Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

25 pages, 1425 KiB

Open AccessReview

Building a Sensor Benchmark for E-Nose Based Lung Cancer Detection: Methodological Considerations

by Justin D. M. Martin and Anne-Claude Romain

Chemosensors 2022, 10(11), 444; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors10110444 - 26 Oct 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1937

Abstract

Lung cancer is one of the deadliest form of cancer in Europe, characterized by a lack of obvious symptoms until the terminal stages of the illness. Electronic noses are a rising screening technology to detect early-stage lung cancer directly in the homes of [...] Read more.

Lung cancer is one of the deadliest form of cancer in Europe, characterized by a lack of obvious symptoms until the terminal stages of the illness. Electronic noses are a rising screening technology to detect early-stage lung cancer directly in the homes of people at risk. Electronic noses need to be tested using samples from patients. However, obtaining numerous samples from cancer patient turns out to be a difficult task in practice. Therefore, the development of a sensor benchmark able to evaluate the performance of sensors without direct breath sampling is of high interest. This paper focuses on the methodology for developing such a benchmark, in the case of a breath sampling electronic nose. The setup used is introduced and general recommendations based on literature and undergoing experiments is detailed. The benchmark can be used for a variety of sensors and a variety of target illnesses. It is also possible to apply it to other types of medical gaseous samples or environmental VOC monitoring. The benchmark is currently still undergoing tests, and results will be published in a following article. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Sensors for Bio-Medical and Environmental Applications)

► Show Figures

Scheme 1

28 pages, 3557 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Challenges of Developing Biosensors for Clinical Assessment: A Review

by Briliant Adhi Prabowo, Patrícia D. Cabral, Paulo Freitas and Elisabete Fernandes

Chemosensors 2021, 9(11), 299; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors9110299 - 24 Oct 2021

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 5027

Abstract

Emerging research in biosensors has attracted much attention worldwide, particularly in response to the recent pandemic outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Nevertheless, initiating research in biosensing applied to the diagnosis of diseases is still challenging for researchers, be it in the preferences [...] Read more.

Emerging research in biosensors has attracted much attention worldwide, particularly in response to the recent pandemic outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Nevertheless, initiating research in biosensing applied to the diagnosis of diseases is still challenging for researchers, be it in the preferences of biosensor platforms, selection of biomarkers, detection strategies, or other aspects (e.g., cutoff values) to fulfill the clinical purpose. There are two sides to the development of a diagnostic tool: the biosensor development side and the clinical side. From the development side, the research engineers seek the typical characteristics of a biosensor: sensitivity, selectivity, linearity, stability, and reproducibility. On the other side are the physicians that expect a diagnostic tool that provides fast acquisition of patient information to obtain an early diagnosis or an efficient patient stratification, which consequently allows for making assertive and efficient clinical decisions. The development of diagnostic devices always involves assay developer researchers working as pivots to bridge both sides whose role is to find detection strategies suitable to the clinical needs by understanding (1) the intended use of the technology and its basic principle and (2) the preferable type of test: qualitative or quantitative, sample matrix challenges, biomarker(s) threshold (cutoff value), and if the system requires a mono- or multiplex assay format. This review highlights the challenges for the development of biosensors for clinical assessment and its broad application in multidisciplinary fields. This review paper highlights the following biosensor technologies: magnetoresistive (MR)-based, transistor-based, quartz crystal microbalance (QCM), and optical-based biosensors. Its working mechanisms are discussed with their pros and cons. The article also gives an overview of the most critical parameters that are optimized by developing a diagnostic tool. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Sensors for Bio-Medical and Environmental Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 4191 KiB

Open AccessReview

Perovskite@Graphene Nanohybrids for Breath Analysis: A Proof-of-Concept

by Juan Casanova-Chafer, Rocio Garcia-Aboal, Pedro Atienzar, Carla Bittencourt and Eduard Llobet

Chemosensors 2021, 9(8), 215; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors9080215 - 08 Aug 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2751

Abstract

Nanohybrids comprising graphene loaded with perovskite nanocrystals have been demonstrated as a potential option for sensing applications. Specifically, their combination presents an interesting synergistic effect owing to greater sensitivity when bare graphene is decorated with perovskites. In addition, since the main drawback of [...] Read more.

Nanohybrids comprising graphene loaded with perovskite nanocrystals have been demonstrated as a potential option for sensing applications. Specifically, their combination presents an interesting synergistic effect owing to greater sensitivity when bare graphene is decorated with perovskites. In addition, since the main drawback of perovskites is their instability towards ambient moisture, the hydrophobic properties of graphene can protect them, enabling their use for ambient monitoring, as previously reported. However not limited to this, the present work provides a proof-of-concept to likewise employ them in a potential application as breath analysis for the detection of health-related biomarkers. There is a growing demand for sensitive, non-invasive, miniaturized, and inexpensive devices able to detect specific gas molecules in human breath. Sensors gathering these requirements may be employed as a screening tool for reliable and fast detection of potential health issues. Moreover, perovskite@graphene nanohybrids present additional properties highly desirable as the capability to be operated at room temperature (i.e., reduced power consumption), reversible interaction with gases (i.e., reusability), and long-term stability. Within this perspective, the combination of both nanomaterials, perovskite nanocrystals and graphene, possibly includes the main requirements needed, being a promising option to be employed in the next generation of sensing devices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Sensors for Bio-Medical and Environmental Applications)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Chemical Sensors for Bio-Medical and Environmental Applications

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Published Papers (11 papers)

Research

Review

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI