Engineering layer-by-layer nanoparticle film for chemical gas sensors

Background: Semiconducting metal oxide gas sensors (SMO gas sensors) are widely used due to their simplicity, low cost, and high sensitivity. However, in applications such as breath analysis and industrial gas monitoring where SMO gas sensors possess great potential, there exists hundreds of gas components, and SMO gas sensors suffer from lack of selectivity. To resolve this, one of the promising approaches is the use of catalytic filters. By depleting the interfering gases prior to the gas sensing, the selectivity of the sensors can be enhanced significantly. This project aims to integrate materials traditionally used as catalytic filters into multi-layer SMO gas sensors, optimizing the sensor's selectivity for applications like breath analysis and industrial gas monitoring. Flame Spray Pyrolysis (FSP) offers a versatile method to deposit nanoparticle films with controlled properties, making it an ideal technique for creating sensors with engineered multi-layer structures. Thesis Description: The project focuses on developing a layer-by-layer gas sensor using FSP to deposit and optimize catalytic materials. The goal is to integrate these materials to enhance gas selectivity. Key steps include synthesizing catalytic filter materials, sequentially depositing layers with precise control over their properties, and evaluating sensor performance. The optimized sensor architecture will be tailored for specific applications, aiming to demonstrate the potential of surface engineering in improving gas sensor capabilities.

Background: Semiconducting metal oxide gas sensors (SMO gas sensors) are widely used due to their simplicity, low cost, and high sensitivity. However, in applications such as breath analysis and industrial gas monitoring where SMO gas sensors possess great potential, there exists hundreds of gas components, and SMO gas sensors suffer from lack of selectivity. To resolve this, one of the promising approaches is the use of catalytic filters. By depleting the interfering gases prior to the gas sensing, the selectivity of the sensors can be enhanced significantly. This project aims to integrate materials traditionally used as catalytic filters into multi-layer SMO gas sensors, optimizing the sensor's selectivity for applications like breath analysis and industrial gas monitoring. Flame Spray Pyrolysis (FSP) offers a versatile method to deposit nanoparticle films with controlled properties, making it an ideal technique for creating sensors with engineered multi-layer structures.

Thesis Description: The project focuses on developing a layer-by-layer gas sensor using FSP to deposit and optimize catalytic materials. The goal is to integrate these materials to enhance gas selectivity. Key steps include synthesizing catalytic filter materials, sequentially depositing layers with precise control over their properties, and evaluating sensor performance. The optimized sensor architecture will be tailored for specific applications, aiming to demonstrate the potential of surface engineering in improving gas sensor capabilities.

The goals which will be targeted are: • Comprehensive synthesis of nanoparticle films via flame spray pyrolysis • Materials characterization of multi-layered films • Gas sensing performance evaluation of layer-by-layer gas sensor

The goals which will be targeted are:
• Comprehensive synthesis of nanoparticle films via flame spray pyrolysis
• Materials characterization of multi-layered films
• Gas sensing performance evaluation of layer-by-layer gas sensor

Please send your CV and transcript of records to Dr. Jaehyun Ko (jaehko@ethz.ch)

Please send your CV and transcript of records to Dr. Jaehyun Ko (jaehko@ethz.ch)