Diamond sensors for extreme environments
Lead Research Organisation:
University College London
Department Name: London Centre for Nanotechnology
Abstract
Diamond is wasted as a gemstone; it is actually a wide band-gap semiconductor with
many superior electronic properties to conventional materials such as silicon. It is
chemically inert in terms of the bulk, but the surface can be surface chemically
functionalized to adjust its properties. It shows a greater "electrochemical window"
- the voltage that can be supported before unwanted aqueous redox reactions set in
- than other materials. Add its mechanical, acoustic, optical and thermal properties,
it is a unique material for the realization of active sensors for gaseous and liquid
species in extreme environments. The oil industry relies on a range of 'down-well'
sensors particularly for well logging use. High pressures, temperatures and
aggressive chemical environments down an oil well make most materials unsuitable
for use as sensors - diamond is being actively pursued as a solution to this problem.
This PhD programme will involve the development of novel chemical and optical
sensing approaches to be implemented with diamond. Diamond surface
functionalization and subsequent electrochemistry is likely to feature throughout.
Semiconductor 'clean-room' processing technologies will be used to fabricate test
devices for subsequent evaluation.
many superior electronic properties to conventional materials such as silicon. It is
chemically inert in terms of the bulk, but the surface can be surface chemically
functionalized to adjust its properties. It shows a greater "electrochemical window"
- the voltage that can be supported before unwanted aqueous redox reactions set in
- than other materials. Add its mechanical, acoustic, optical and thermal properties,
it is a unique material for the realization of active sensors for gaseous and liquid
species in extreme environments. The oil industry relies on a range of 'down-well'
sensors particularly for well logging use. High pressures, temperatures and
aggressive chemical environments down an oil well make most materials unsuitable
for use as sensors - diamond is being actively pursued as a solution to this problem.
This PhD programme will involve the development of novel chemical and optical
sensing approaches to be implemented with diamond. Diamond surface
functionalization and subsequent electrochemistry is likely to feature throughout.
Semiconductor 'clean-room' processing technologies will be used to fabricate test
devices for subsequent evaluation.
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/N509577/1 | 01/10/2016 | 24/03/2022 | |||
| 1784903 | Studentship | EP/N509577/1 | 01/10/2016 | 30/01/2021 | Maeve McLaughlin |
| Description | An investigation has been made into the influence of temperature on the electrochemical window of boron doped diamond, from 21 - 125 °C. The boron doped diamond electrodes tested had either hydrogen or oxygen surface termination and where either left in their as-grown state or mechanically polished. This work resulted in an academic paper https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-72910-x. |
| Exploitation Route | The published work from this award can be used as references for the commercial production of boron doped diamond sensors for high sensitivity detection measurements. The key results from this award show that boron doped diamond is the superior material to use when designing an electrochemical sensor for the detection of mercury contamination in water. The results from the high temperature research can be used as a theoretical calibration of the electrochemical window of the boron doped diamond at elevated temperatures, which will be important to any academic or industrial researcher designing a boron doped diamond based sensor to be used above room temperature. |
| Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Chemicals,Environment |