Development of alcohol sensor using TiO2-Hydroxyapatite nano-composites

Abstract

This work demonstrates successful utilization of thick films of hydroxyapatite (HAp), nano titanium dioxide (TiO2) and its composite coated on glass substrate using screen printing method for alcohol sensing application. Films of various compositions nano TiO2 in HAp were prepared via physical mixing 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 wt% of nano TiO2 in HAp. Gas sensing measurement of 1 wt% TiO2-HAp shows efficient sensing at operating temperatures of 33, 35 and 55 °C for methanol, ethanol and propanol gases, respectively, as compared with pure HAp, nano-TiO2 and other composite films. Fast response and recovery time were observed in 1 wt% TiO2-HAp for 10 ppm methanol (50 and 20 s), ethanol (170 and 20 s) and propanol (100 and 70 s), respectively, as compared with pure HAp, nano TiO2 and other composites. It is concluded that nano TiO2 and HAp composite film sensors can be efficiently used to detect alcohol vapors with their presence in ambient as low as 10 ppm concentration.