Controlled One-Step Manufacture of Charge Transfer Salt Nanowire Sensors for Gas Detection

Abstract

Major barriers for commercializing nanowire sensors are complicated synthesis technique and lack of scalable device assembly methods. Charge transfer salts (CTS), like tetrathiafulvalene bromide (TTFBr), have been well known for unique electric and chemical property. This talk will bring a controlled one-step deposition method to fabricate CTS nanowire sensors. By applying certain potentials to designed substrates, TTFBr nanowires can be directly deposited onto the electrodes. Varying deposition conditions and design of substrates are able to control the geometry, density and composition of TTFBr nanowires. TTFBr nanowire sensor shows high sensitivity, selectivity, and fast response towards ammonia gas. The detection limit is less than 1ppm and the response time, at room temperature, is less than 1 minute. Other CTS, like Cu- tetracyanoquinodimethane, can also be fabricated into nanowire sensor using the same method. This research shows a promising scalable fabrication method for various nanowire sensors and is being commercialized.