Porous-alumina-assisted formation of 3-D nanostructured niobium oxide films for advanced sensing applications

Identifier:  imarina:5610231

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/imarina5610231

Authors:  Mozalev, A; Vazquez, RM; Bendova, M; Pytlicek, Z; Llobet, E; Hubalek, J

Abstract:
© 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. Here we synthesize a 3-D metal/oxide/metal nanostructured film that merges the benefits of advanced nanocomposite inorganic materials with the flexibility of nonlithographic electrochemical technologies based on so-called porous-anodic-alumina-assisted anodizing of a refractory metal and the point electrodeposition of noble metals. The film is composed of a thin niobium oxide layer with spatially-ordered upright-standing niobium oxide nanocolumns, assembled between the two parallel electrodes, which work as long aspect ratio semiconducting nanochannels whose resistivity is greatly impacted by chemisorption reactions when a gas interacts with the film. A laboratory gas sensor employing the film, assembled on a standard TO-8 Metal Can Package, shows superior characteristics for H 2 and especially C 2 H 5 OH detection.