Projects / Programmes
From the synthesis of metal oxides to the humidity and oxygen prototype nanosensors
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.04.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Materials science and technology |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| T153 |
Technological sciences |
Ceramic materials and powders |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 2.10 |
Engineering and Technology |
Nano-technology |
humidity sensor, oxide sensor, oxide materials, 1D nanostructures, nanorods, nanotubes, BaTiO3, Fe-SrTiO3, Y-ZrO2
Researchers (1)
| no. |
Code |
Name and surname |
Research area |
Role |
Period |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
28491 |
PhD Kristina Žagar Soderžnik |
Materials science and technology |
Head |
2014 - 2017 |
206 |
Organisations (1)
| no. |
Code |
Research organisation |
City |
Registration number |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
0106 |
Jožef Stefan Institute |
Ljubljana |
5051606000 |
90,682 |
Abstract
The proposed research project entitled “From the synthesis of metal oxides to the humidity and oxygen prototype nanosensors” focuses on systematic synthesis and gas-sensing device formation of the one-dimensional (1D) metal oxide materials such as BaTiO3, Fe doped SrTiO3 and Y doped ZrO2 nanostructures. The final goal of the presented research project will be the prototype of the humidity and oxygen nano-sized gas-sensing device. Processing of humidity and oxygen nanosize sensors that can operate under severe environmental conditions is of great relevance due to their small size and small weight. These sensors also possess high stability, fast response times and reproducibility. Furthermore, these gas sensor properties are not only interesting in terms of device applications, but also pave the way to study in deep ionic and electronic conduction mechanisms in individual nanorod-based devices.
The main objectives of proposed project are systematic and effective synthesis of 1D metal oxide nanomaterials via template-assisted sol-gel electrophoretic deposition (EPD) and their integration into simple and complex circuit devices. The synthesized 1D nanostructures will possess the form of nanorods and/or nanotubes with defined chemical composition, crystal structure and morphology that will enable their use in technological applications. First goal will be the optimization of the processing parameters for the most efficient EPD of stoichiometric sols into the pores of the templates in order to obtain 1D BaTiO3, Fe doped SrTiO3 and Y doped ZrO2 nanostructures with the highly uniform morphology. To characterize the produced nanostructures various analytical techniques (especially electron microscopy techniques) will be used. The aim is to monitor the produced nanorods and nanotubes processing parameters, as well as to determine their structural and chemical composition on the micro, nano and atomic scales.
In order to investigate their potential use for proof-of-concept nanosensors, Focused Ion Beam (FIB) nanolithography will be used to construct prototype devices made of a single nanorod or nanotube which will be further introduced to measure their electrical properties and responses under different environmental conditions. In the proposed project single BaTiO3 nanorods will be tested for humidity nanosensors, while single Fe-doped SrTiO3 nanotubes and Y doped ZrO2 nanotubes will be tested for oxygen nanosensors. The produced prototypes could be also potentially interesting for the transfer into industry production.
Significance for science
My past research was related to the synthesis and characterization of BaTiO3 and SrTiO3 perovskite nanorods and/or nanotubes and their further integration into the nanosensors. In the context of this research I have published five articles which have been very well accepted among researchers. Furthermore, the paper on humidity nanosenzors based on single BaTiO3 nanorod, published in journal Nanotecnology received the award of "Latest Journal Highlights Articles". This achievement was also observed by the Slovenian journal Finance. In journal Finance we published an article where we wanted to explain to the general public that nanosensors are useful in practice, and that we made a big step for science and technology when we prototyped humidity sensor.
The basic goal of the proposed research project is to continue and upgrade my current research work in the field of synthesis and development of humidity and oxide nanosensors. The main purpose of the project is the systematic and efficient management and implementation of all processing stages in the synthesis of metal oxides (such as BaTiO3 nanorods, Fe doped SrTiO3 nanotubes and Y doped ZrO2 nanotubes). The aim is to ensure a sufficient reproducibility of the processes that will allow us the standardization of the procedure where a working prototype device of humidity or oxygen nanosensor is introduced. This work will have an important and high added value in the field of nanomaterials and nanotechnology.
The relevance to the development of science and scientific field will be diverse:
I will describe the process of synthesis and integration of humidity and oxygen sensing devices – know-how process.
The standardization of the process will be ensured by repeatability of the individual synthesis.
We will achieve a working prototype nanodevice, which will have tremendous importance for the further development of the scientific field.
The dissemination activities that will contribute to the development of science and scientific field:
Publication of articles in international scientific journals.
Publication of the chapters in international scientific monographs.
Invited lectures at conferences, workshops and symposia.
International involvement and collaboration with research institutions around the world.
Significance for the country
Direct impact of a new product - prototype devices of humidity and oxide nanosensors will be in their applicability and usefulness. The development of humidity and oxygen nanosensors will lead to the valuable technological know-how which is strategic intellectual property and could be patented at some point. A working prototype device will be a product which can be directly used in various types of industries such as the electronics industry, aerospace industry and others. There will be a possibility for the cooperation with a variety of Slovenian companies such as EUROMIX Ltd., Bosch Rexroth AG, Cinkarna,... Or the nanosensors will pave a way for creation of Spin-off Company in Slovenia. The humidity or oxygen nanosensor prototypes will be also suitable for their integration into devices for consumer products. In the frame of the proposed research project I will bring the development stage of the product to the point where it will be possible to transfer it into technology (industry). Humidity and oxygen nanosensors will also have a significant impact on the quality of life, due to their miniaturization and economy and last but not least the use of environmentally user-friendly materials (reducing the pollution by a small amount of waste material and use of ecologically-friendly materials).
For the dissemination of the know-how technology and the applicability of humidity and oxygen prototype nanosensors different channels will be used:
Conference presentations.
Cooperation and visits with the industry (cooperation with EUROMIX Ltd., Bosch Rexroth AG, Cinkarna).
Lectures and presentations to the general public in the context of popular-science lectures "Science on the road".
Publications in scientific journals.
Publications in other public journals, such as Dnevnik, Delo, Finance.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2014,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2014,
final report
