Chemically modified discriminating gas sensors
Lead Research Organisation:
University College London
Department Name: Chemistry
Abstract
Metal oxide gas sensors are small devices - 2 mm x 2mm that are used to detect trace gases in air. They are widely used in cars (exhausts and air intake vents), in weather balloons, in environmental monitoring (land fill sites) and in ozone detection. They work by showing a change in electrical resistance when exposed to a gas. The problem with these sensors is that they can't distinguish very well, if at all, mixtures of different gasses - for example ammonia and methane both give a change in resistance to the sensor. For these sensors to find wide spread application they need to be able to sense a specific target gas in the presence of a complex gas mixture. To date this has not been acheived. This proposal will generate a new type of sensor that has an additional discriminating sensor layer either on top of the traditional metal oxide or embedded within the metal oxide. This new layer contains a material called a zeolite- essentially a very porous solid that can let certain types of gases permeate through the structure. The zeolite gives enhanced sensitivity and sieves gas molecules on the basis of their size, shape and chemical composition. These zeolite layers will give us enhanced sensitivity and most importantly selectivity. By combining different types of zeolites we are able to make an array of sensors that can function as well as or better than the human nose. Specific problems that can be addressed include:1 Detection of contaiminated water, foodstuffs, chemicals and perfumes.2 A single breath detector that can analyse for a range of diseases and for alcohol/ drug content.3 Environmental monitoring (land fill, waste dump. brown field sites).
Organisations
Publications
Basharat S
(2008)
Gallium oxide thin films from the AACVD of [Ga(NMe2)3]2 and donor functionalised alcohols
in Dalton Transactions
Parkin I
(2008)
Thermochromic Coatings for Intelligent Architectural Glazing
in Journal of Nano Research
Piccirillo C
(2008)
Synthesis and characterisation of W-doped VO2 by Aerosol Assisted Chemical Vapour Deposition
in Thin Solid Films
Blackman C
(2009)
Atmospheric pressure chemical vapour deposition of thermochromic tungsten doped vanadium dioxide thin films for use in architectural glazing
in Thin Solid Films
Afonja A
(2009)
Gas Sensing Properties of Composite Tungsten Trioxide-Zeolite Thick Films
in ECS Transactions
Binions R
(2009)
Zeolite Modification: Towards Discriminating Metal Oxide Gas Sensors
in ECS Transactions
Saeli M
(2009)
Templated growth of smart coatings: Hybrid chemical vapour deposition of vanadyl acetylacetonate with tetraoctyl ammonium bromide
in Applied Surface Science
Binions R
(2009)
Zeolite-Modified Discriminating Gas Sensors
in Journal of The Electrochemical Society
Saeli M
(2010)
Energy modelling studies of thermochromic glazing
in Energy and Buildings
Description | We have devloped new gas sensor devices with better discrimination. these small sensors are now being applied in the detction of volatile materials including explosives. |
Exploitation Route | The work has facilitated the devlopment of a hand-held electronic nose for detecting pollutants and explosives. |
Sectors | Chemicals Construction Healthcare Security and Diplomacy |
URL | http://www.ucl.ac.uk/chemistry/staff/academic_pages/ivan_parkin |
Description | The work from the project has helped a spin out comapny Aeroqual that now employs 35 people. |
First Year Of Impact | 2009 |
Sector | Chemicals,Environment |
Impact Types | Cultural Economic |
Description | EPSRC equipmnet call |
Amount | £3,600,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/M015157/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2016 |
Title | Ondine Biopharma Licence |
Description | Licensed technology to Ondine Biopharma through UCL business |
IP Reference | US20080050448 |
Protection | Patent application published |
Year Protection Granted | |
Licensed | Yes |
Impact | Further grant funding |