Enhancement in the optical CO sensitivity of NiO film by the deposition of ultrafine gold particles

Abstract

In the presence of reducing gases thin NiO films show reversible changes for visible–near-IR light absorption, a phenomenon which can be applied to the optical detection of CO in air. The deposition of highly dispersed Au on NiO films by a deposition–precipitation method significantly enhances the optical sensitivity and the response rate, allowing CO detection under a substantially lowered operating temperature.