Control of gas pollution prevalent in the environment is of utmost necessity for the sustenance of humankind. This is because this type of pollution significantly affects air quality, thus having economic and health impacts. Different types of analytical techniques exist today concerning gas mixture analysis. They include laser absorption spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy and also infrared spectroscopy. These techniques can precisely detect the existence of gaseous chemical pollutants. However, these traditional instruments are incredibly time-consuming and expensive. Further, it is often hard to employ them in remote places or outdoor conditions.
Novel gas sensing devices might be a ray of light in this regard. They are built with the help of nanostructured thin films and can provide enhanced selectivity and sensitivity. Further, they also boast of quick response time. One of the widely adopted gas sensors that exist today is semiconducting metal oxide thin films. They are an attractive option for market players due to their ease of use, simplicity, ability to detect a large variety of gases and low manufacturing cost.
Although there are some disadvantages associated with thin-film gas sensor devices, the development of nanotechnology has led to the rectification of these setbacks. Such developments have also contributed towards the development of the Oil & Gas Sensors Market as they helped increase the device’s surface area resulting in enhanced performance. Moreover, it also led to improvement in the absorption of gas species on the surface.
Advancement in organic electronics has further resulted in developing a new type of gas sensor based on polymer. The devices can detect various organic compounds like trinitrotoluene and other nitroaromatic explosives even if they are present in low concentrations. This is done via nanopatterning of conductive polymers (polypyrrole, polyaniline and others) upon an insulating substrate. The configuration is used similar to that of an organic field-effect transistor.
Although many breakthroughs have occurred with the gas sensor sector, numerous hurdles lie ahead. Till then, full exploitation of the advantages of nanostructured thin films cannot be done. If repeatable and consistent use of gas sensor features has to be ensured, then better control is required of the nanostructure fabrication in respect to its morphology, thickness, and composition.
These aspects are also relevant when it comes to graphene-based sensors. This is mainly because manufacturing inefficiencies impact the device’s response and recovery times, durability, temperature stability, response and selectivity. Further, research studies also need to be undertaken for developing cost-effective nanofabrication processes.