Metal Oxide Thin Films and Nanomaterials for Chemiresistive Gas and Humidity Sensing
This community develops metal oxide thin films and nanostructures to detect specific gases and humidity levels, primarily for environmental monitoring, industrial safety, and health diagnostics.
The work centers on zinc oxide (ZnO), tin oxide (SnO2), and copper oxide, often doped with other elements or combined with graphene and carbon nanotubes. Researchers synthesize these materials into thin films, nanorods, and nanoparticles using methods like spray pyrolysis and sol-gel processing. The primary application is chemiresistive sensing, where the material's electrical resistance changes upon exposure to target analytes such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2), hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and methane. A significant portion of the research focuses on achieving high sensitivity at room temperature and improving selectivity through surface modification and heterostructure design.
The largest share of the community's output is found in zinc research, accounting for 9.7% of all zinc research, and 26,021 papers here. Tin research follows with a 5.4% share and 8,353 papers.
The community comprises 54,698 papers, publishing most frequently in Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, Journal of Alloys and Compounds, and Ceramics International.
Recent work continues to explore 2D materials like transition metal dichalcogenides and MXenes for gas sensing, alongside advances in flexible humidity sensors and wireless detection systems for NO2 and other pollutants.