Zinc oxide nanorod sensor
Encyclopedia
A zinc oxide nanorod sensor or ZnO nanorod
sensor
is an electronic device detecting presence of certain gas or liquid molecules (e.g. NO, hydrogen, etc.) in the ambient atmosphere. The sensor exploits enhanced surface area (and thus surface activity) intrinsic to all nano-sized materials, including ZnO nanorods. Adsorption
of molecules on the nanorods can be detected through variation of the nanorods properties, such as electrical conductivity, vibration frequency, mass, etc. The simplest and thus most popular way is to pass electrical current through the nanorods and observe its changes upon gas exposure.
Nanorod
In nanotechnology, nanorods are one morphology of nanoscale objects. Each of their dimensions range from 1–100 nm. They may be synthesized from metals or semiconducting materials. Standard aspect ratios are 3-5. Nanorods are produced by direct chemical synthesis...
sensor
Sensor
A sensor is a device that measures a physical quantity and converts it into a signal which can be read by an observer or by an instrument. For example, a mercury-in-glass thermometer converts the measured temperature into expansion and contraction of a liquid which can be read on a calibrated...
is an electronic device detecting presence of certain gas or liquid molecules (e.g. NO, hydrogen, etc.) in the ambient atmosphere. The sensor exploits enhanced surface area (and thus surface activity) intrinsic to all nano-sized materials, including ZnO nanorods. Adsorption
Adsorption
Adsorption is the adhesion of atoms, ions, biomolecules or molecules of gas, liquid, or dissolved solids to a surface. This process creates a film of the adsorbate on the surface of the adsorbent. It differs from absorption, in which a fluid permeates or is dissolved by a liquid or solid...
of molecules on the nanorods can be detected through variation of the nanorods properties, such as electrical conductivity, vibration frequency, mass, etc. The simplest and thus most popular way is to pass electrical current through the nanorods and observe its changes upon gas exposure.
Reviews
- J. G. Lu et al. "Quasi-one-dimensional metal oxide materials—Synthesis, properties and applications" (42 pages) Mater. Sci. Eng. R 52 (2006) 49
- S.J. Pearton et al. "ZnO-based nanowires" Nano 4 (2007) 201
- W. Park et al. "Catalyst-free growth of ZnO nanorods and their nanodevice applications" Int. J. Nanotechnology 3 (2006) 372