Understanding Fundamental Mechanisms in Gas Sensing to Aid Future Design

半导体气体传感器已经研究了60多年，通常用作早期检测系统，以对抗威胁生命的气体，如CO2， CO和CH4。尽管经过了60年的研究，该领域几乎完全依赖于两种半导体系统，SnO2和WO3。更糟糕的是，支撑它们作为气体传感器性能的基本机制仍然没有得到很好的理解。在这项研究中，我们将结合计算化学技术和先进的光谱技术，为这些半导体表面在工作条件下发生的机制提供新的见解。我们将利用这些见解制定设计标准，将其他半导体氧化物转化为高效的气体传感器，确保英国在这一领域保持世界领先地位。

Semiconducting Gas Sensors have been studied for over 60 years and are routinely used as early detection systems against life threatening gases such as CO2, CO and CH4. Despite these 60 years of research, the field relies almost entirely on two semiconductor systems, SnO2 and WO3. Compounding this, the fundamental mechanisms that underpin their performance as gas sensors are still not well understood. In this study, we will use a combination of computational chemistry techniques and advanced spectroscopic techniques to provide new insights into the mechanisms occurring on the surface of these semiconductors under operating conditions. We will use these insights to yield design criteria for transforming other semiconducting oxides into efficient gas sensors, ensuring the UK remains world leading in this area.