Low-Temperature Operating Black SnO2‑Based VOC Sensor Setup

• Published in: ACS omega 2021-09, Vol.6 (35), p.22900-22908
• Main Authors: Mahalingappa, Kiran, Pranesh, Gowtham Maralur, Manjunath, Gopinatha Bidarkatte, Mundinamani, Shridhar, Molakkalu Padre, Shilpa, Mishra, Nirankar Nath, Chandrasekhar, Gurumurthy Sangam
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2470-1343; 2470-1343
• DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c03399

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are harmful to human beings and animals. VOCs include a carbon compound and its derivatives. VOCs irritate the eyes, ears, and throat, ahigh concentration of VOCs may cause cancer; also, it affects the central nervous system. A concentration below 0.3 mg/m3 is harmless, above which it is harmful to human beings. The present work discusses the detection of harmful VOCs using a lab-made portable device setup. Hydrothermally synthesized tin oxide (SnO2) nanocubes are used as an active material for VOC detection. The SnO2 pellet is prepared using a hydraulic press method and is used in the portable setup. Temperature-dependent VOC detection is carried out using a microheater. An external potential is applied to the microheater, which stimulates the active material to sense ethanol at 40 °C. SnO2 and EA deposited on graphite interdigitated electrodes projected on cellulose are used to detect isopropanol, ethanol, and acetone at room temperature. Temperature-dependent studies on acetone are carried out. A significant change in the current levels is observed for different VOCs. A positive shift in the Dirac point is noticed upon VOC exposure. The developed portable device plays a vital role in analyzing sensors based on various active materials for VOC detection.