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Journal of Biotechnology and Phytochemistry
Volume 1 Issue 3 Chemistry World 2017
Page 65
November 13-15, 2017 Athens, Greece
7th World Congress on
Chemistry
An array of semiconducting metal oxide
heterojunction sensors used for explosive
detection
Lauren Horsfall
University College London, United Kingdom
Terrorists frequently use explosives and they represent an
imminent threat to national and global security. Recent
events highlight the necessity of explosive detection,
demonstrating the need for developing and applying new
sensors for explosive gas detection. Semiconducting metal
oxide gas sensors can be incorporated into electronic noses,
which provide a cheap, portable and highly sensitive device,
therefore making them a reliable method when detecting
explosives. Using unmodified, admixed and 2-layered sensors
consisting of WO3 and CTO (chromium titanium oxide)
an array of seven heterojunction semiconducting metal
oxide sensors was produced. All seven sensors were tested
against gases associated with explosive materials at a range of
temperatures 300oC, 400oC and 500oC. All sensors produced
underwent X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron
Microscopy (SEM), Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy
(EDX) and Raman spectroscopy, in order to establish if any
structural changes occurred to the array due to the exposure
of the gases or temperatures. Both the admixtures and the
2-layered semiconducting metal oxide gas sensors have been
shown to enhance sensor response when detecting explosives.
The data collected was processed against a support vector
machine in order to comprehend the sensors application
into an electronic nose. The technique produced a high data
classification when classifying the gases used within the study.
Therefore, the array produced has successfully discriminated
the tests gases from one another, consequently showing the
potential use of the array implemented into an electronic nose
for the use of explosive detection to be an effective method.
J Biotech and Phyto 2017