Gas Sensor Technology

Gas sensors are a ubiquitous part of our everyday lives. Various types of gas sensors are present in automobiles, commercial and industrial buildings, and even in many homes. The purpose of these sensors varies depending on their application. Automotive gas sensors enable a motor vehicle to operate cleanly and efficiently. Commercial and industrial gas sensors help ensure employees are not exposed to harmful toxins in the workplace. Gas sensors in the home primarily protect families from the deadly effects of carbon monoxide poisoning.

YTCA has fabricated prototype gas sensors utilizing its proprietary hybrid CNT materials, in which various metal dopants are incorporated into the CNT bundles:



Some of these materials have shown enhanced sensitivity to analyte gases such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2), as shown below:

Normalized resistive (left) and capacitive (right) response of YTCA hybrid metal-CNT to NO2 gas at various concentrations. Metal-CNT hybrids showing enhanced sensitivity are ideal candidates for next-generation gas sensors.