Room Temperature Gas Sensing Using CuFeO2

Room Temperature Gas
Sensing Using CuFeO2

Nanoparticle
MISS. AMRUTA SHIVAJI KILLEDAR
Fergusson College (Autonomous), Pune
Internal Guide External Guide

Dr. H. M. GHOLAP, Dr. Ranajit Ghosh,
Department of Physics, Central Mechanical Engineering
Fergusson College (Autonomous), Research Institute, Durgapur
Pune
Introduction:
Gas sensors utilizing semiconductor metal oxides (SMOs) have gained prominence in
industrial and everyday applications. These sensors offer high sensitivity, affordability, and
simple fabrication, making them ideal for detecting various gases. SMO gas sensors operate
on the principle of chemiresistance, were electrical conductivity changes upon exposure to
target gases.
This report explores the fundamentals of SMO gas sensors, including their working
principles, materials, and potential applications in air pollution monitoring, industrial
process control, and medical breath analysis.
Information of Material
All the analytical grade precursors including Copper (II) chloride (CuCl2.2H2O),
Ferric nitrate nonahydrate (Fe (NO3)3⋅9H2O), acetic acid (CH3COOH) was
received from Sigma Aldrich (India). All of these chemicals were applied
without further purification. Ultrapure water (resistivity >18.2 MΩ⋅cm) was used
for materials synthesis.
Synthesis of CuFeO2
1 Precursor Preparation
Dissolve CuCl2.2H2O and Fe(NO3)3.9H2O in a mixed solvent
2 Hydrothermal Treatment DG + Acetic Acid +

EG
Calcinated
Heat solution in autoclave at 180°C for 18 hours 500℃
CuCl2.2H2O 180 ℃ Wash
Fe (NO3)3.9H2O 18 h Dry
3 Washing and Drying 3h
CuFeO2
Hydrothermal
Wash precipitate and dry overnight at 80°C
4 Calcination
Heat sample at 500°C for 3 hours to obtain CuFeO2
XRD Analysis:
Significant peaks were observed at 2θ = 31.4°, 36.3°, 42.7°, and 56.6°, which
correspond to the characteristic planes of CuFeO₂.
101
These peaks match well with the standard XRD patterns for the delafossite phase
of CuFeO₂, indicating successful synthesis. 006
012
The absence of additional peaks confirms that no secondary phases or 018
impurities are present, suggesting a high phase purity of the CuFeO₂ crystals .
The sharpness and intensity of the peaks reflect good crystallinity of the
material, which is crucial for efficient gas-sensing properties.
FESEM Analysis of CuFeO2
Nanoparticle Morphology
CuFeO2 forms small nanoparticles
Porosity
Accumulation of nanoparticles creates porous structure
Enhanced Surface Area

Small particle size increases specific surface area
Fig. FESEM image of CuFeO2
Improved Sensing
Porosity and high surface area enhance gas sensor response
Working Principle of SMO
Gas Sensors
1 Oxygen Adsorption
Oxygen molecules adsorb on the SMO surface in clean air.
2 Gas Exposure
Target gas molecules interact with adsorbed oxygen.
3 Electrical Change
Interaction leads to changes in resistance or conductance.
Oxygen Adsorption Model
1 O2- (molecular form)

Present at room temperature (< 100°C)
2 O- (atomic form)
Dominant between 100-300°C, typical operating temperature for gas sensors
3 O2- (atomic form)

Present at temperatures > 300°C
Types of SMO Sensors
SMO sensors are classified based on their majority charge carriers: n-type
(electrons) and p-type (holes). The sensing mechanism differs for each type when
exposed to reducing or oxidizing gases.
Sensor Type Reducing Gases Oxidizing Gases
n-type Surface current Surface current

increases decreases
p-type Surface current Surface current

decreases increases
Laboratory Setup for Gas Sensing
Gas Sensing Machine

Controls gas flow and chamber temperature
Keithley Source Meter

Measures sensor resistance changes
Fig. Schematics of Gas sensing mechanism

Lab Tracer Software
Data acquisition and analysis
Gas Sensor Fabrication
Substrate Preparation
Clean FTO glass substrate using ultrasonic cleaning and rinsing
Material Deposition
Spin coat CuFeO2 onto FTO substrate at 3000 RPM
Electrode Placement
Add porous nickel foil as top electrode
Curing
Heat sensor at 70°C for 2 hours to solidify and ensure adhesion
Ammonia Sensing Performance
The CuFeO2 sensor demonstrates promising ammonia sensing capabilities at room temperature. Tests were conducted using varying
concentrations of ammonia gas (45 ppm, 90 ppm, 135 ppm, and 180 ppm).
Current Response
(a) (b)
Current increases with higher ammonia concentrations, indicating

good sensitivity
Response Time
(c) (d)
Response time increases with higher concentrations, a common
limitation for room temperature SMO sensors
Fig. Room Temperature Response of CuFeO 2 SMO Gas Sensor to Different Ammonia Concentrations
(a) 10 µL for 45 ppm (b) 20 µL for 90 ppm (c) 30 µL for 135 ppm (d) 40 µL for 185 ppm
Future Scope and Discussion:
Optimize synthesis, explore metal doping, or integrate
nanocomposites to enhance sensitivity and response time at
room temperature.
Improve selectivity by introducing heterojunctions or surface

modifications for better gas distinction in mixed
environments.
Explore CuFeO₂'s potential for detecting other gases

like NO₂ or VOCs to broaden its applicability.
Scale CuFeO₂ sensor production for industrial,

healthcare, and environmental uses, and integrate into
portable, low-power devices for broader applications.
Acknowledgement:
o The successful completion of this research project would not have been possible without the support of the Indian Academy of
Science, Bengaluru of their esteemed Summer Research Fellowship Program.
o Dr. Harish Gholap, my internal guide, for their invaluable guidance, encouragement, and continuous support throughout the research
work.
o Expressing my gratitude to Dr. Ranajit Ghosh, my esteemed guide at the Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI),
Durgapur.
o My deepest appreciation goes to Rinku Paul for her support and assistance throughout the project. This experience has been
invaluable.
References:
1. Nanotechnology: Principles and Practices by Sulabha K. Kulkarni
2. Nanostructures and Nanomaterials by Guzhong Cao
3. R. Paul, B. Das, and R. Ghosh, Novel approach towards the design of metal oxide based hetero-structures for
room temperature gas sensor and its sensing mechanism: A recent progress, Journal of Alloys and
Compounds, 941 (2023) 168943.
4. H. Ji, W. Zeng, and Y. Li, Gas sensing mechanisms of metal oxide semiconductors: a focus review, Nanoscale
11 (47) (2019) 22664–22684.
5. Y. Shimizu and M. Egashira, Basic Aspects and Challenges of Semiconductor Gas Sensors, MRS Bull. 24 (6)
(1999) 18–24.
THANK YOU !

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Room Temperature Gas

Sensing Using CuFeO2

Internal Guide External Guide

2 Hydrothermal Treatment DG + Acetic Acid +

The absence of additional peaks confirms that no secondary phases or 018

Enhanced Surface Area

1 O2- (molecular form)

3 O2- (atomic form)

Sensor Type Reducing Gases Oxidizing Gases

n-type Surface current Surface current

p-type Surface current Surface current

Gas Sensing Machine

Keithley Source Meter

Fig. Schematics of Gas sensing mechanism

Current increases with higher ammonia concentrations, indicating

Improve selectivity by introducing heterojunctions or surface

Explore CuFeO₂'s potential for detecting other gases

Scale CuFeO₂ sensor production for industrial,

2. Nanostructures and Nanomaterials by Guzhong Cao

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