Application of flame-formed carbon nanoparticle films for ethanol sensing

Abstract

Carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) have received considerable attention due to their exceptional qualities and adaptability. Their unique physical and chemical characteristics make them extremely intriguing as materials for numerous high-potential applications, such as electronics and gas sensing. This study focused on producing carbon-based nanomaterial devices by deposition of flame-formed carbon nanoparticles on a suitable substrate and investigating their gas-sensing properties. CNPs were produced in a fuel-rich laminar premixed ethylene/air flame and the collected CNP film was morphologically and electrically characterized. The electrical conductivity of the film was investigated as a function of ethanol concentration and amount of deposited material. Notably, CNP films exhibited high sensitivity to ambient ethanol gas concentrations, and rapid recovery times at room temperature, and showed a sensitivity increasing with the amount of deposited material and the surface complexity. Our findings demonstrate the high potential of combustion-generated CNPs as building materials for low-cost and portable ethanol sensors.