Printable Gas Sensors Using Functional 2d materials
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Engineering
Abstract
Gas sensors play a key role in monitoring urban pollution, indoor air quality and industrial processes. Semiconducting metal oxides (MOx) have dominated the chemiresistive commercial gas sensing market for decades. However, MOx sensors suffer from long response and recovery time and typically have high power consumption.
Beyond graphene, a new generation of 2-dimenstional (2D) material such as molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), black phosphorus (BP) and graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) have attracted a strong interest in gas sensing due to their large surface area and strong electron interaction. The semiconducting properties of these novel 2D materials are highly sensitive to chemical changes, making them particularly attractive for sensing applications.
The aim of this project is to address the shortcomings of traditional MOx sensors by nano-engineering such 2D material based thin-film sensor platform with superior sensing ability. By adopting scalable nanomanufacturing strategies, the project will develop low cost, high performance gas sensors that could be exploited for consumer grade indoor air quality monitoring.
The student will be based with the Hybrid Nanomaterials Engineering research group (http://hne.eng.cam.ac.uk) at the Cambridge Graphene Centre and closely work in collaboration with Mr Chris Jones of Novalia Ltd. He will help the student in the development of functional ink formulation and facilitate industrial scale printing of the gas sensors using the synthesised materials.
Description of the project:
The first stage of the project will investigate synthesis of atomically thin g-C3N4, MoS2 and BP nanosheets in a liquid environment.
This will be followed by hydrothermal growth of metal oxides on these atomically thin materials.
Following characterization of these composite materials (including electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, Atomic Force microscopy), formulation of functional inks with appropriate rheological properties will be developed for drop on demand inkjet and screen-printing.
The materials will then be used to fabricate sensors for characterization in the CGC.
The synthesised materials will be chemically doped or functionalised according to the device response for optimum gas sensing performance in terms of sensitivity and selectivity.
Particular emphasis will be given on a scalable synthesis and sensor manufacturing strategy.
The student will develop a deep insight into functional ink formulation with suitable metal oxides and 2d materials for printed gas sensing devices and components, based on the recent developments within the PI's research group.
Beyond graphene, a new generation of 2-dimenstional (2D) material such as molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), black phosphorus (BP) and graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) have attracted a strong interest in gas sensing due to their large surface area and strong electron interaction. The semiconducting properties of these novel 2D materials are highly sensitive to chemical changes, making them particularly attractive for sensing applications.
The aim of this project is to address the shortcomings of traditional MOx sensors by nano-engineering such 2D material based thin-film sensor platform with superior sensing ability. By adopting scalable nanomanufacturing strategies, the project will develop low cost, high performance gas sensors that could be exploited for consumer grade indoor air quality monitoring.
The student will be based with the Hybrid Nanomaterials Engineering research group (http://hne.eng.cam.ac.uk) at the Cambridge Graphene Centre and closely work in collaboration with Mr Chris Jones of Novalia Ltd. He will help the student in the development of functional ink formulation and facilitate industrial scale printing of the gas sensors using the synthesised materials.
Description of the project:
The first stage of the project will investigate synthesis of atomically thin g-C3N4, MoS2 and BP nanosheets in a liquid environment.
This will be followed by hydrothermal growth of metal oxides on these atomically thin materials.
Following characterization of these composite materials (including electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, Atomic Force microscopy), formulation of functional inks with appropriate rheological properties will be developed for drop on demand inkjet and screen-printing.
The materials will then be used to fabricate sensors for characterization in the CGC.
The synthesised materials will be chemically doped or functionalised according to the device response for optimum gas sensing performance in terms of sensitivity and selectivity.
Particular emphasis will be given on a scalable synthesis and sensor manufacturing strategy.
The student will develop a deep insight into functional ink formulation with suitable metal oxides and 2d materials for printed gas sensing devices and components, based on the recent developments within the PI's research group.
Planned Impact
Our vision is to take graphene from a state of raw potential to a point where it can revolutionise flexible, wearable and transparent (opto)electronics, with a manifold return in innovation and exploitation. Such change in the paradigm of device manufacturing may revolutionise the global industry. The importance of graphene was recognised by the 2011 statement of the Chancellor of the Exchequer launching the initiative that lead to the funding of the Cambridge Graphene Centre, where the proposed Graphene Technology CDT will be based. The aim is take graphene and related materials from "the British laboratory" to the "British factory floor". Not only does our vision align with this mandate, but it also exploits and strengthens several key areas of national importance where the UK has recognised excellence, such as printed electronics, energy and RF & Microwave Communications. Thus, we will strive for both economic impact, by stimulating new UK-manufactured high-value products, and societal benefits, by utilising graphene in potentially many areas including security, energy efficiency and quality of life.
The beneficiaries of our proposal will be of course the cohorts of students that will be trained every year, but will extend more widely. Considering the private sector, we have already indentified tens of companies that will benefit from our work. To achieve the final goal of graphene-technology, and to ease the transition to commercialisation, we have strong alignment with industry needs and engage them as project partners of the CDT: Dyson, Novalia, Plastic Logic, Nokia, Toshiba, BAE Systems, Aixtron, PEL, Nanocyl, IdTechEx, Philips, Dupont, CambridgeIP, Polyfect, Agilent, Nippon Kayaku, Victrex, IMEC. Many more are also partnering with the Cambridge Graphene Centre, and even more are expected to join and benefit directly or indirectly from our work. We consider the civilian sectors of healthcare, telecommunications, energy and homeland security to be those in which applications based on graphene can make significant impact on society at large. There are also applications in defence, especially in secure communications and radars. This will foster competitiveness and enhance quality of life. In particular, the proposed CDT will be of prime interest to industries dealing with the following devices and applications: 1. Mobile communications, wireless sensor networks, including wearable devices. 2. Nano-structured materials for light and microwave energy harvesting. 3. Active and reconfigurable microwave, terahertz and optical materials, including advanced antenna applications for radar and communications.
Policy-makers, within international, national, local government will also benefit. If the vision of graphene as the material of the 21st century is fulfilled, there will be a need for its properties, benefits, applications and advantageousness compared to current technology to be known by the relevant public bodies. For example, any new policy on energy saving, or mobile communications may need to include a reference to the benefits, or limitations, of graphene-based devices.
Economic resilience and innovation require post-doctoral researchers and students trained in new areas. We will contribute to increasing the talent pool for the future graphene industry. The proposed doctoral training centre will provide unique training to students in various aspects of graphene technology: from graphene nanotechnology to energy, RF/microwave and (opto)electronics. This will develop many skilled researchers over the project lifetime, who will stimulate the sustainability of UK graphene engineering research and future commercialisation opportunities across a variety of sectors.
The beneficiaries of our proposal will be of course the cohorts of students that will be trained every year, but will extend more widely. Considering the private sector, we have already indentified tens of companies that will benefit from our work. To achieve the final goal of graphene-technology, and to ease the transition to commercialisation, we have strong alignment with industry needs and engage them as project partners of the CDT: Dyson, Novalia, Plastic Logic, Nokia, Toshiba, BAE Systems, Aixtron, PEL, Nanocyl, IdTechEx, Philips, Dupont, CambridgeIP, Polyfect, Agilent, Nippon Kayaku, Victrex, IMEC. Many more are also partnering with the Cambridge Graphene Centre, and even more are expected to join and benefit directly or indirectly from our work. We consider the civilian sectors of healthcare, telecommunications, energy and homeland security to be those in which applications based on graphene can make significant impact on society at large. There are also applications in defence, especially in secure communications and radars. This will foster competitiveness and enhance quality of life. In particular, the proposed CDT will be of prime interest to industries dealing with the following devices and applications: 1. Mobile communications, wireless sensor networks, including wearable devices. 2. Nano-structured materials for light and microwave energy harvesting. 3. Active and reconfigurable microwave, terahertz and optical materials, including advanced antenna applications for radar and communications.
Policy-makers, within international, national, local government will also benefit. If the vision of graphene as the material of the 21st century is fulfilled, there will be a need for its properties, benefits, applications and advantageousness compared to current technology to be known by the relevant public bodies. For example, any new policy on energy saving, or mobile communications may need to include a reference to the benefits, or limitations, of graphene-based devices.
Economic resilience and innovation require post-doctoral researchers and students trained in new areas. We will contribute to increasing the talent pool for the future graphene industry. The proposed doctoral training centre will provide unique training to students in various aspects of graphene technology: from graphene nanotechnology to energy, RF/microwave and (opto)electronics. This will develop many skilled researchers over the project lifetime, who will stimulate the sustainability of UK graphene engineering research and future commercialisation opportunities across a variety of sectors.
Organisations
| Description | Isolating single layers, or very close to single layer flakes of 2d materials is a key step in the direction of implementing said materials in electronic devices. Liquid phase exfoliation is a commonly used technique, which is the most promising in terms of scalability. However the quality of materials obtained via liquid phase exfoliation is generally lower, usually caused by long periods of ultrasonication. Currently, my research is based on developing a method for improving the exfoliation of bulk layered material powders by subjecting the starting material to treatment before the ultrasonication stage, in hope of reducing the amount of ultrasonication required. The exfoliated material is then formulated into a printable ink and used to rint functional electronic device components with view to developing fully printed electronic devices. UPDATE: I have found a more efficient method for the exfoliation of 2D materials, which shows soe promise to be a greener more scalable approach to formulation of ink on a litre scale. |
| Exploitation Route | The ability to exfoliate large quantities of readily available 2d material powders with high efficiency and yielding high quality material would allow others with stronger engineering focus to implement material of higher quality, which is produced with a method that can be scaled. It would facilitate the implementation of the material into devices. |
| Sectors | Chemicals,Electronics,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |