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Synthesis of Mesoporous Tin Oxide for Chemical Gas Sensors--CeraMem Corporation, 12 Clematis Avenue, Waltham, MA 02154-7011; 781-899-4495
Dr. Bruce A. Bishop, Principal Investigator
Dr. Robert Goldsmith, Business Official
DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-98ER82549
Amount: $750,000
Metal oxide-based sensors are one of the technologies currently being used to address the large and rapidly growing sensor market. However, this sensor type needs improvements in sensitivity, reproducibility, and long term stability in order to compete with other sensing technologies. This project will develop a novel sensor technology, using a unique mesoporous sensing layer microstructure that will enhance the overall performance of the sensor. The resulting structure, and the materials used to fabricate it, will address many of the needed improvements in metal oxide semiconductor sensors. In Phase I, SnO2 (tin-oxide) was used as the metal oxide sensing material. A liquid solution-based fabrication process was used to form porous structures that were stable yet provided sensing performance similar to a commercial SnO2 sensor. In Phase II, the fabrication process and resulting microstructure will be optimized in order to improve sensor performance. To achieve this optimization, variations in the metal oxide material, catalyst, and electrode modifications will be investigated. Finally, the developed sensors will be tested individually, and a small array will be formed and tested on a select gas mixture.
Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: Applications for this sensor technology should include sensing of household carbon monoxide, natural gas and industrial toxic gases, medical diagnostics, food production quality control, and hydrogen sensing for advanced power production processes.