Smart methanol sensor based on silver oxide-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles deposited on microchips.

Rahman, Mohammed; Khan, Sher; Asiri, Abdullah

We have prepared calcined silver oxide-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles (NPs) by a hydrothermal method using reducing agents in alkaline medium. The doped NPs were characterized by UV/vis, FTIR, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and by X-ray powder diffraction and field-emission scanning electron microscopy. The NPs were deposited on microchips to result in a sensor that has a fast response to methanol in the liquid phase. Features include high sensitivity, low-sample volume, reliability, reproducibility, ease of integration, long-term stability, and enhanced electrochemical responses. The calibration plot is linear (r = 0.9981) over the 0.25 mmolL to 0.25 molL methanol concentration range. The sensitivity is ~7.917 μA cm mmolL, and the detection limit is 71.0 ± 0.5 μmolL at a signal-to-noise-ratio of 3. [Figure not available: see fulltext.]

METHANOL; SILVER oxide; ZINC oxide; METAL nanoparticles; INTEGRATED circuits; DOPING agents (Chemistry); CHEMICAL detectors

Microchimica Acta, 2014, Vol 181, Issue 5/6, p553

0026-3672

Academic Journal

10.1007/s00604-014-1176-y