Abstract

Gas detection instruments are increasingly needed for industrial health and safety, environmental monitoring, and process control. To meet this demand, considerable research into new sensors is underway, including efforts to enhance the performance of traditional devices, such as resistive metal oxide sensors, through nanoengineering. Metal oxide sensors have been utilized for several decades for low-cost detection of combustible and toxic gases. However, issues with sensitivity, selectivity, and stability have limited their use, often in favor of more expensive approaches. Recent advances in nanomaterials provide the opportunity to dramatically increase the response of these materials, as their performance is directly related to exposed surface volume. The recent availability of various metal oxide materials in high-surface-area nanopowder form, as well as implementation of newly developed nanofabrication techniques, offer tremendous opportunities for sensor manufacturers.

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