Nanostructured thick-film gas sensors for atmospheric pollutant monitoring: Quantitative analysis on field tests

Maria Cristina Carotta*, Giuliano Martinelli, Luigi Crema, Cesare Malagù, Marco Merli, Giovanna Ghiotti, Enrico Traversa

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

72 Scopus citations

Abstract

Thick-film gas sensors were fabricated by screen-printing technology starting from different nanostructured semiconducting oxide powders both n-type and p-type; ultrafine and homogeneously sized ceramic powders were prepared using chemical methods such as sol-gel techniques and thermal decomposition of heteronuclear complexes. The temporal evolution of the conductivity changes in the various semiconducting oxide thick films were studied in comparison with the concentrations of CO, NO, NO2 and O3 in the atmosphere as measured by the analytical equipment. An air quality control experiment in an urban area through some arrays of nanostructured thick-film sensors without an in situ calibration is described. Through the calibration performed directly in the field, one of the monitoring units by means of the conventional equipment, it was possible to evaluate the pollutants' concentration in various points of the city. The good results obtained with this experiment allow us to consider the feasible use of the innovative station to measure the pollution due to the automotive traffic.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)336-342
Number of pages7
JournalSensors and Actuators, B: Chemical
Volume76
Issue number1-3
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1 2001
Externally publishedYes
EventProceeding of the 8th International Meeting on Chemical Sensors - Basel, Switzerland
Duration: Jul 2 2000Jul 5 2000

Keywords

  • Environmental monitoring
  • Nanostructured materials
  • Semiconducting oxides
  • Thick films

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Metals and Alloys
  • Instrumentation
  • Materials Chemistry
  • Surfaces, Coatings and Films
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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