Photocatalytic Gas Sensors Integrated on Micro UV-LEDS for Efficient Photon Energy Transfer

Abstract

In this paper, we have developed photocatalytic metal oxide gas sensors integrated on μUV-LEDs for more efficient photon energy transfer. The sensing nanomaterials (ZnO nanowires or SnO2 nanotubes) were synthesized on a transparent quartz substrate through sequential aqueous synthesis methods. The transparency of the quartz substrate allows the UV-LED to directly irradiate onto the sensing materials. Due to the proximity of the light source to the sensing materials, the irradiation efficiency was improved. Furthermore, by controlling each content of ZnO and SnO2, the absorption spectrum of the sensing nanomaterials was modulated for more efficient photon energy absorption of the gas sensing material. As a result, the sensing performance of SnO2-ZnO hybrid nanotubes for NO2 gas showed higher sensitivity, fast response, and complete recovery in room temperature.