Gas Sensing with Iridium Oxide Nanoparticle Decorated Carbon Nanotubes

Identifier:  imarina:5133006

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/imarina5133006

Authors:  Casanova-Chafer, Juan; Navarrete, Eric; Noirfalise, Xavier; Umek, Polona; Bittencourt, Carla; Llobet, Eduard

Abstract:
The properties of multi-wall carbon nanotubes decorated with iridium oxide nanoparticles (IrOx-MWCNTs) are studied to detect harmful gases such as nitrogen dioxide and ammonia. IrOx nanoparticles were synthetized using a two-step method, based on a hydrolysis and acid condensation growth mechanism. The metal oxide nanoparticles obtained were employed for decorating the sidewalls of carbon nanotubes. Iridium-oxide nanoparticle decorated carbon nanotube material showed higher and more stable responses towards NH3 and NO2 than bare carbon nanotubes under different experimental conditions, establishing the optimal operating temperatures and estimating the limits of detection and quantification. Furthermore, the nanomaterials employed were studied using different morphological and compositional characterization techniques and a gas sensing mechanism is proposed.