MXene Key Composites:A New Arena for Gas Sensors

With the development of science and technology,the scale of industrial production continues to grow,and the types and quantities of gas raw materials used in industrial production and produced during the production process are also constantly increasing.These gases include flammable and explosive gases,and even contain toxic gases.Therefore,it is very important and necessary for gas sensors to detect and monitor these gases quickly and accurately.In recent years,a new two-dimensional material called MXene has attracted widespread attention in various applications.Their abundant surface functional groups and sites,excellent current conductivity,tunable surface chemistry,and outstanding stability make them promising for gas sensor applications.Since the birth of MXene materials,researchers have utilized the efficient and convenient solution etching preparation,high flexibility,and easily functionalize MXene with other materials to pre-pare composites for gas sensing.This has opened a new chapter in high-performance gas sensing materials and provided a new approach for advanced sensor research.However,previous reviews on MXene-based composite materials in gas sensing only focused on the performance of gas sensing,without systematically explaining the gas sensing mechanisms generated by different gases,as well as summarizing and predicting the advantages and disadvantages of MXene-based composite materials.This article reviews the latest progress in the application of MXene-based composite materials in gas sensing.Firstly,a brief summary was given of the commonly used methods for preparing gas sens-ing device structures,followed by an introduction to the key attributes of MXene related to gas sensing performance.This article focuses on the performance of MXene-based composite materials used for gas sensing,such as MXene/graphene,MXene/Metal oxide,MXene/Transition metal sulfides(TMDs),MXene/Metal-organic framework(MOF),MXene/Polymer.It summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of MXene com-posite materials with different composites and discusses the possible gas sensing mechanisms of MXene-based composite materials for different gases.Finally,future directions and inroads of MXenes-based composites in gas sensing are presented and discussed.

Highly Sensitive Ammonia Gas Sensors at Room Temperature Based on the Catalytic Mechanism of N,C Coordinated Ni Single-Atom Active Center

Significant challenges are posed by the limitations of gas sensing mechanisms for trace-level detection of ammonia(NH3).In this study,we propose to exploit single-atom catalytic activation and targeted adsorption properties to achieve highly sensitive and selective NH3 gas detection.Specifically,Ni singleatom active sites based on N,C coordination(Ni-N-C)were interfacially confined on the surface of two-dimensional(2D)MXene nanosheets(Ni-N-C/Ti_(3)C_(2)Tx),and a fully flexible gas sensor(MNPE-Ni-N-C/Ti_(3)C_(2)Tx)was integrated.The sensor demonstrates a remarkable response value to 5 ppm NH3(27.3%),excellent selectivity for NH3,and a low theoretical detection limit of 12.1 ppb.Simulation analysis by density functional calculation reveals that the Ni single-atom center with N,C coordination exhibits specific targeted adsorption properties for NH3.Additionally,its catalytic activation effect effectively reduces the Gibbs free energy of the sensing elemental reaction,while its electronic structure promotes the spill-over effect of reactive oxygen species at the gas-solid interface.The sensor has a dual-channel sensing mechanism of both chemical and electronic sensitization,which facilitates efficient electron transfer to the 2D MXene conductive network,resulting in the formation of the NH3 gas molecule sensing signal.Furthermore,the passivation of MXene edge defects by a conjugated hydrogen bond network enhances the long-term stability of MXene-based electrodes under high humidity conditions.This work achieves highly sensitive room-temperature NH3 gas detection based on the catalytic mechanism of Ni single-atom active center with N,C coordination,which provides a novel gas sensing mechanism for room-temperature trace gas detection research.

Overcoming the Limits of Cross-Sensitivity:Pattern Recognition Methods for Chemiresistive Gas Sensor Array

As information acquisition terminals for artificial olfaction,chemiresistive gas sensors are often troubled by their cross-sensitivity,and reducing their cross-response to ambient gases has always been a difficult and important point in the gas sensing area.Pattern recognition based on sensor array is the most conspicuous way to overcome the cross-sensitivity of gas sensors.It is crucial to choose an appropriate pattern recognition method for enhancing data analysis,reducing errors and improving system reliability,obtaining better classification or gas concentration prediction results.In this review,we analyze the sensing mechanism of crosssensitivity for chemiresistive gas sensors.We further examine the types,working principles,characteristics,and applicable gas detection range of pattern recognition algorithms utilized in gas-sensing arrays.Additionally,we report,summarize,and evaluate the outstanding and novel advancements in pattern recognition methods for gas identification.At the same time,this work showcases the recent advancements in utilizing these methods for gas identification,particularly within three crucial domains:ensuring food safety,monitoring the environment,and aiding in medical diagnosis.In conclusion,this study anticipates future research prospects by considering the existing landscape and challenges.It is hoped that this work will make a positive contribution towards mitigating cross-sensitivity in gas-sensitive devices and offer valuable insights for algorithm selection in gas recognition applications.

Advances in Noble Metal-Decorated Metal Oxide Nanomaterials for Chemiresistive Gas Sensors:Overview

Highly sensitive gas sensors with remarkably low detection limits are attractive for diverse practical application fields including real-time environmental monitoring,exhaled breath diagnosis,and food freshness analysis.Among various chemiresistive sensing materials,noble metal-decorated semiconducting metal oxides(SMOs)have currently aroused extensive attention by virtue of the unique electronic and catalytic properties of noble metals.This review highlights the research progress on the designs and applications of different noble metal-decorated SMOs with diverse nanostructures(e.g.,nanoparticles,nanowires,nanorods,nanosheets,nanoflowers,and microspheres)for high-performance gas sensors with higher response,faster response/recovery speed,lower operating temperature,and ultra-low detection limits.The key topics include Pt,Pd,Au,other noble metals(e.g.,Ag,Ru,and Rh.),and bimetals-decorated SMOs containing ZnO,SnO_(2),WO_(3),other SMOs(e.g.,In_(2)O_(3),Fe_(2)O_(3),and CuO),and heterostructured SMOs.In addition to conventional devices,the innovative applications like photo-assisted room temperature gas sensors and mechanically flexible smart wearable devices are also discussed.Moreover,the relevant mechanisms for the sensing performance improvement caused by noble metal decoration,including the electronic sensitization effect and the chemical sensitization effect,have also been summarized in detail.Finally,major challenges and future perspectives towards noble metal-decorated SMOs-based chemiresistive gas sensors are proposed.

Functionalized Hydrogel-Based Wearable Gas and Humidity Sensors

Breathing is an inherent human activity;however,the composition of the air we inhale and gas exhale remains unknown to us.To address this,wearable vapor sensors can help people monitor air composition in real time to avoid underlying risks,and for the early detection and treatment of diseases for home healthcare.Hydrogels with three-dimensional polymer networks and large amounts of water molecules are naturally flexible and stretchable.Functionalized hydrogels are intrinsically conductive,self-healing,self-adhesive,biocompatible,and room-temperature sensitive.Compared with traditional rigid vapor sensors,hydrogel-based gas and humidity sensors can directly fit human skin or clothing,and are more suitable for real-time monitoring of personal health and safety.In this review,current studies on hydrogel-based vapor sensors are investigated.The required properties and optimization methods of wearable hydrogel-based sensors are introduced.Subsequently,existing reports on the response mechanisms of hydrogel-based gas and humidity sensors are summarized.Related works on hydrogel-based vapor sensors for their application in personal health and safety monitoring are presented.Moreover,the potential of hydrogels in the field of vapor sensing is elucidated.Finally,the current research status,challenges,and future trends of hydrogel gas/humidity sensing are discussed.

Atomic layer deposition to heterostructures for application in gas sensors

Atomic layer deposition(ALD) is a versatile technique to deposit metals and metal oxide sensing materials at the atomic scale to achieve improved sensor functions. This article reviews metals and metal oxide semiconductor(MOS) heterostructures for gas sensing applications in which at least one of the preparation steps is carried out by ALD. In particular, three types of MOS-based heterostructures synthesized by ALD are discussed, including ALD of metal catalysts on MOS, ALD of metal oxides on MOS and MOS core–shell(C–S) heterostructures.The gas sensing performances of these heterostructures are carefully analyzed and discussed.Finally, the further developments required and the challenges faced by ALD for the synthesis of MOS gas sensing materials are discussed.

A Review on Graphene-Based Gas/Vapor Sensors with Unique Properties and Potential Applications

Graphene-based gas/vapor sensors have attracted much attention in recent years due to their variety of structures, unique sensing performances, room-temperature working conditions, and tremendous application prospects, etc.Herein, we summarize recent advantages in graphene preparation, sensor construction, and sensing properties of various graphene-based gas/vapor sensors, such as NH_3, NO_2, H_2, CO, SO_2, H_2S, as well as vapor of volatile organic compounds.The detection mechanisms pertaining to various gases are also discussed. In conclusion part, some existing problems which may hinder the sensor applications are presented. Several possible methods to solve these problems are proposed, for example, conceived solutions, hybrid nanostructures, multiple sensor arrays, and new recognition algorithm.

Gas Sensors Based on Chemi?Resistive Hybrid Functional Nanomaterials

Chemi-resistive sensors based on hybrid functional materials are promising candidates for gas sensing with high responsivity,good selectivity,fast response/recovery,great stability/repeatability,room-working temperature,low cost,and easy-to-fabricate,for versatile applications.This progress report reviews the advantages and advances of these sensing structures compared with the single constituent,according to five main sensing forms:manipulating/constructing heterojunctions,catalytic reaction,charge transfer,charge carrier transport,molecular binding/sieving,and their combinations.Promises and challenges of the advances of each form are presented and discussed.Critical thinking and ideas regarding the orientation of the development of hybrid material-based gas sensor in the future are discussed.

Room-Temperature Gas Sensors Under Photoactivation:From Metal Oxides to 2D Materials

Room-temperature gas sensors have aroused great attention in current gas sensor technology because of deemed demand of cheap,low power consumption and portable sensors for rapidly growing Internet of things applications.As an important approach,light illumination has been exploited for room-temperature operation with improving gas sensor's attributes including sensitivity,speed and selectivity.This review provides an overview of the utilization of photoactivated nanomaterials in gas sensing field.First,recent advances in gas sensing of some exciting different nanostructures and hybrids of metal oxide semiconductors under light illumination are highlighted.Later,excellent gas sensing performance of emerging two-dimensional materialsbased sensors under light illumination is discussed in details with proposed gas sensing mechanism.Originated impressive features from the interaction of photons with sensing materials are elucidated in the context of modulating sensing characteristics.Finally,the review concludes with key and constructive insights into current and future perspectives in the light-activated nanomaterials for optoelectronic gas sensor applications.

Recent Progress on Flexible Room-Temperature Gas Sensors Based on Metal Oxide Semiconductor

With the rapid development of the Internet of Things,there is a great demand for portable gas sensors.Metal oxide semiconductors(MOS)are one of the most traditional and well-studied gas sensing materials and have been widely used to prepare various commercial gas sensors.However,it is limited by high operating temperature.The current research works are directed towards fabricating high-performance flexible room-temperature(FRT)gas sensors,which are effective in simplifying the structure of MOS-based sensors,reducing power consumption,and expanding the application of portable devices.This article presents the recent research progress of MOS-based FRT gas sensors in terms of sensing mechanism,performance,flexibility characteristics,and applications.This review comprehensively summarizes and discusses five types of MOS-based FRT gas sensors,including pristine MOS,noble metal nanoparticles modified MOS,organic polymers modified MOS,carbon-based materials(carbon nanotubes and graphene derivatives)modified MOS,and two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides materials modified MOS.The effect of light-illuminated to improve gas sensing performance is further discussed.Furthermore,the applications and future perspectives of FRT gas sensors are also discussed.

Flexible and stretchable photodetectors and gas sensors for wearable healthcare based on solution-processable metal chalcogenides

Wearable smart sensors are considered to be the new generation of personal portable devices for health monitoring.By attaching to the skin surface,these sensors are closely related to body signals(such as heart rate,blood oxygen saturation,breath markers,etc.)and ambient signals(such as ultraviolet radiation,inflammable and explosive,toxic and harmful gases),thus providing new opportunities for human activity monitoring and personal telemedicine care.Here we focus on photodetectors and gas sensors built from metal chalcogenide,which have made great progress in recent years.Firstly,we present an overview of healthcare applications based on photodetectors and gas sensors,and discuss the requirement associated with these applications in detail.We then discuss advantages and properties of solution-processable metal chalcogenides,followed by some recent achievements in health monitoring with photodetectors and gas sensors based on metal chalcogenides.Last we present further research directions and challenges to develop an integrated wearable platform for monitoring human activity and personal healthcare.

MoS2 Nanosheets Sensitized with Quantum Dots for Room-Temperature Gas Sensors

The Internet of things for environment monitoring requires high performance with low power-consumption gas sensors which could be easily integrated into large-scale sensor network.While semiconductor gas sensors have many advantages such as excellent sensitivity and low cost,their application is limited by their high operating temperature.Two-dimensional(2D)layered materials,typically molybdenum disulfide(MoS2)nanosheets,are emerging as promising gas-sensing materials candidates owing to their abundant edge sites and high in-plane carrier mobility.This work aims to overcome the sluggish and weak response as well as incomplete recovery of MoS2 gas sensors at room temperature by sensitizing MoS2 nanosheets with PbS quantum dots(QDs).The huge amount of surface dangling bonds of QDs enables them to be ideal receptors for gas molecules.The sensitized MoS2 gas sensor exhibited fast and recoverable response when operated at room temperature,and the limit of NO2 detection was estimated to be 94 ppb.The strategy of sensitizing 2D nanosheets with sensitive QD receptors may enhance receptor and transducer functions as well as the utility factor that determine the sensor performance,offering a powerful new degree of freedom to the surface and interface engineering of semiconductor gas sensors.

Recent progress on gas sensors based on graphene-like 2D/2D nanocomposites

Two-dimensional(2D)nanomaterials have demonstrated great potential in the field of flexible gas sensing due to their inherent high specific surface areas,unique electronic properties and flexibility property.However,numerous challenges including sensitivity,selectivity,response time,recovery time,and stability have to be addressed before their practical application in gas detection field.Development of graphene-like 2D/2D nanocomposites as an efficient strategy to achieve high-performance 2D gas sensor has been reported recently.This review aims to discuss the latest advancements in the 2D/2D nanocomposites for gas sensors.We first elaborate the gas-sensing mechanisms and the collective benefits of 2D/2D hybridization as sensor materials.Then,we systematically present the current gas-sensing applications based on different categories of 2D/2D nanocomposites.Finally,we conclude the future prospect of 2D/2D nanocomposites in gas sensing applications.

Effect of Nanoparticle Size on Gas-sensing Properties of Tin Dioxide Sensors

Sn（OH）4 was prepared by the conventional solution precipitate method,followed by supercritical CO2 drying.The resultant Sn（OH）4 was divided into three aliquots and calcined at 400,600 and 800 °C,respectively,thus SnO2 nanoparticles with average crystallite sizes of 5,10 and 25 nm were obtained.Furthermore,three SnO2 thick film gas sensors（denoted as sensors S-400,S-600 and S-800） were fabricated from the above SnO2 nanoparticles.The adhesion of sensing materials on the surface of alumina tube is good.Compared to the sensors S-600 and S-800,sensor S-400 showed a much higher sensitivity to 1000 μL/L ethanol.On the other hand,sensor S-800 showed a much lower intrinsic resistance and improved selectivity to ethanol than sensors S-400 and S-600.X-Ray diffraction（XRD）,transmission electron microscopy（TEM） and selective area electron diffraction（SAED） measurements were used to characterize the SnO2 nanoparticles calcined at different temperatures.The differences in the gas sensing performance of these sensors were analyzed on the basis of scanning electron microscopy（SEM）.

Optimization of sensor deployment sequences for hazardous gas leakage monitoring and source term estimation

Nowadays, chemical safety has attracted considerable attention, and chemical gas leakage monitoring and source term estimation(STE) have become hot spots. However, few studies have focused on sensor layouts in scenarios with multiple potential leakage sources and wind conditions, and studies on the risk information(RI) detection and prioritization order of sensors have not been performed. In this work, the monitoring area of a chemical factory is divided into multiple rectangles with a uniform mesh. The RI value of each grid node is calculated on the basis of the occurrence probability and normalized concentrations of each leakage scenario. A high RI value indicates that a sensor at a grid node has a high chance of detecting gas concentrations in different leakage scenarios. This situation is beneficial for leakage monitoring and STE. The methods of similarity redundancy detection and the maximization of sensor RI detection are applied to determine the sequence of sensor locations. This study reveals that the RI detection of the optimal sensor layout with eight sensors exceeds that of the typical layout with 12 sensors. In addition, STE with the optimized placement sequence of the sensor layout is numerically simulated. The statistical results of each scenario with various numbers of sensors reveal that STE is affected by sensor number and scenarios(leakage locations and winds). In most scenarios, appropriate STE results can be retained under the optimal sensor layout even with four sensors. Eight or more sensors are advised to improve the performance of STE in all scenarios. Moreover, the reliability of the STE results in each scenario can be known in advance with a specific number of sensors. Such information thus provides a reference for emergency rescue.

Achieving highly-efficient H2S gas sensor by flower-like SnO_(2)–SnO/porous GaN heterojunction

A flower-like SnO_(2)–SnO/porous Ga N(FSS/PGaN) heterojunction was fabricated for the first time via a facile spraying process, and the whole process also involved hydrothermal preparation of FSS and electrochemical wet etching of GaN,and SnO_(2)–SnO composites with p–n junctions were loaded onto PGaN surface directly applied to H_(2)S sensor. Meanwhile,the excellent transport capability of heterojunction between FSS and PGaN facilitates electron transfer, that is, a response time as short as 65 s and a release time up to 27 s can be achieved merely at 150℃ under 50 ppm H_(2)S concentration, which has laid a reasonable theoretical and experimental foundation for the subsequent PGaN-based heterojunction gas sensor.The lowering working temperature and high sensitivity(23.5 at 200 ppm H2S) are attributed to the structure of PGaN itself and the heterojunction between SnO_(2)–SnO and PGaN. In addition, the as-obtained sensor showed ultra-high test stability.The simple design strategy of FSS/PGaN-based H_(2)S sensor highlights its potential in various applications.

Gas sensors based on TiO_(2) nanostructured materials for the detection of hazardous gases: A review

Hazardous gases have been strongly associated with being a detriment to human life within the environment The development of a reliable gas sensor with high response and selectivity is of great signifcance for detecting different hazardous gases.TiO_(2) nanomaterials are promising candidates with great potential and excellent per-formance in gas sensor applications,such as hydrogen,acetone,ammonia,and ethanol detection.This review begins with a detailed discussion of the di ferent dimensional morphologies of TiO_(2),whitch affect the gas sensing performance of TiO_(2) sensors.The diverse morphologies of TiO_(2) can easily be tuned by regulating the manufacturing conditions.Meanwhile,they exhibit unique characteristics for detecting gases,including large specific suface area,superior elecron tr ansport rates,extraordinary pemmeability,and active reaction sites,which offer new opportunities to improve the gas sensing properties.In addition,a variety of efforts have been made to functional TiO_(2) nanomaterials to further enhance sensing properties,including TiO_(2)-based composites and light-assisted gas sensors.The enhanced gas sensing mechanisms of multi-component composite nano-materials based on TiO_(2) include loaded noble metals,doped elements,constructed heterojunctions,and com-pounded with other functional materials.Finally,several studies have been summarized to demonstate the compar ative sensing properties of TiO_(2)-based gas sensors.

The light-enhanced NO_2 sensing properties of porous silicon gas sensors at room temperature

The NO2 gas sensing behavior of porous silicon（PS） is studied at room temperature with and without ultraviolet（UV） light radiation.The PS layer is fabricated by electrochemical etching in an HF-based solution on a p ＋-type silicon substrate.Then,Pt electrodes are deposited on the surface of the PS to obtain the PS gas sensor.The NO2 sensing properties of the PS with different porosities are investigated under UV light radiation at room temperature.The measurement results show that the PS gas sensor has a much higher response sensitivity and faster response-recovery characteristics than NO2 under the illumination.The sensitivity of the PS sample with the largest porosity to 1 ppm NO2 is 9.9 with UV light radiation,while it is 2.4 without UV light radiation.We find that the ability to absorb UV light is enhanced with the increase in porosity.The PS sample with the highest porosity has a larger change than the other samples.Therefore,the effect of UV radiation on the NO2 sensing properties of PS is closely related to the porosity.

Study on Temperature Modulation Techniques for Micro Gas Sensors

The sensitivity and selectivity of gas sensors are related with not only sensing material,but also their operating temperatures.Applying this property,temperature modulation technique has been proposed to improve the selectivity of gas sensors.With a newly developed alumina based micro gas sensor,the sensitivity to CO and CH_4 at different operating temperatures was investigated.By modulating the temperature of the sensor at pulse and sine wave modes with different frequencies and amplitudes,the dynamic responses of the sensor were measured and processed.Results show that the modulating waveshape plays an important role in the improvement of selectivity,while the influence of frequency is small at the suitable sampling frequency in the range of 25 mHz～200 mHz.

Hydrogen and Ozone SAW Based Gas Sensors with RF Magnetron Sputtered InO_x and Electron Beam Evaporated SiN_y

Layered Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) devices with an InO_x/SiN_u/36°YX LiTaO_3 structure were investigated for sensing low concentrations of hydrogen (H_2) and ozone (O_3) at different operating temperatures.The sensor consists of a 1μm thick silicon nitride (SiN_y) intermediate layer deposited by electron beam evaporation on a 36°Y-cut X-propagating piezoelectric lithium tantalate (LiTaO_3) substrate and a 100 nm thin indium oxide (InO_x) sensing layer deposited by R.F.magnetron sputtering.The device fabrication is described and the performance of the sensor is analyzed in terms of response magnitude as a function of operating temperature.Large frequency shifts of 360 kHz for 600μg/g of H_2 and 92 kHz for 40 ng/g O_3 were recorded.In addition,the surface morphology of the deposited films were investigated by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and the chemical composition by X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) to correlate gas-sensing behavior to structural characteristics of the thin film.