Acetaldehyde detection using nickel-incorporated WO3 thin films prepared via spray pyrolysis
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Acetaldehyde, a compound known for its cellular and genomic toxicity, poses a significant threat to both human health and environmental safety. This underscores the urgent need for cost-effective and highly sensitive sensors capable of detecting acetaldehyde at low concentrations. In this study, metal oxide semiconductor–based thin-film gas sensors were developed using pure and nickel-doped tungsten trioxide (WO₃). The thin films were fabricated via spray pyrolysis, a direct deposition technique that yielded crystalline monoclinic-phase WO₃ with a favourable surface morphology conducive to gas sensing. Among the samples, the 5 % Ni-doped WO₃ (WO₃:Ni-5) film exhibited the highest performance, delivering an impressive sensing response of 102.28 at room temperature. The enhanced response was attributed to the incorporation of Ni 2+ ions, which induced the growth of nanorods within a fibrous, flower-like microstructure, thereby increasing the active surface area. Comprehensive characterisation confirmed that the sensor has good selectivity towards acetaldehyde (25 S), sensitivity (5 ppm), repeatability, humidity tolerance, and long-term stability, establishing its strong potential for practical acetaldehyde detection.
Source: Results in Chemistry
Authors: Roshini Xavier, Logu thirumalaisamy, Santhosh Nallakumar, Thangavel Ravikumar, Anju Thomas, Janani Arunachalam, Anand Sekar, Kalainathan Sivaperuman, G. Swati
Language: English
Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,870
OpenAlex ID: W4416396325