Chemical sensing dependence on metal oxide thickness for high temperature plasmonics-based sensors

Abstract

Monitoring emission levels of combustion related gases such as H2, CO and NO2 is beneficial both to optimize performance of combustion systems as well as to reduce the impacts of the target gases on the environment. Although considerable work has been done with regards to high temperature sensing in plasmonics based sensor research, the sensing mechanisms have not been fully developed. Another area that needs further investigative studies is in the optimization of material parameters that give the optimal sensing performance to tested gases. In this work nanorods encapsulated with a metal oxide of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) patterned through electron beam lithography are shown to be sensitive to the tested gases, and mechanisms pertinent to the sensing reactions have been proposed. The optimal thicknesses of fabricated films have been identified, which will enable predictive design of such nanocomposite films for applications requiring compatibility to high temperatures and harsh environments.