Workshop Title:

Material Design for Room Temperature Chemoresistive Gas Sensor

Date:

July 7th, 2023 (GMT+10)

Organizer:

Dr. Sajjad Seifi Mofarah

Keywords:

• Material Design
• Oxide Nanostructures
• Surface Reaction
• Chemiresistor
• Gas Sensing

Workshop Chair:

Personal Bio:

Dr. Mofarah obtained his Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering, UNSW Sydney, in 2020, with a focus on electrochemistry-based synthesis and characterization of 2D metal oxides, heterostructures, and coordination polymers for energy storage and catalysis applications. He was appointed as a Research Associate at the SMaRT Centre, UNSW Sydney in April 2020 to work on cyclic reprocessing of battery materials and recovery of wastes into functional nanostructures for electrocatalysis and capacitance applications. He is now appointed as Senior Research Associate at UNSW working on research and development of design and development, advanced characterization, structural and chemical analyses, and thermodynamic study of functional materials for energy and environmental applications including batteries, pseudocapacitors, sensors, biosensors, electrocatalysts, photocatalysts, and piezocatalysts.

Workshop Description:

Background:

Chemiresistive sensors are devices that can detect the presence of gases by measuring changes in their electrical conductivity upon exposure to gases. The materials used in these sensors are critical to their performance and effectiveness. The material design of such sensors involves optimization of the structure, architecture, chemistry, and surface of these materials.

The most commonly used materials in chemiresistive sensors are metal oxides, conducting polymers, and carbon-based materials. These materials can be synthesized using various methods such as sol-gel, chemical vapor deposition, and electrospinning. Nanostructures with tailored morphology such as 0D nanoparticles, 1D nanowires and nanotubes, and 2D nanosheets are widely used to enhance the sensitivity, selectivity, and durability of the sensors.

Despite the progress made in materials design and synthesis, there are still challenges and gaps in the field of gas sensing. One major challenge is achieving high selectivity towards specific gases. Another challenge is achieving stable and reproducible sensor response over time. Further, chemoresistive gas sensor exhibit limited applicability owing to their requirement for high operating temperatures.

In conclusion, the design and synthesis of materials for chemiresistive gas sensors is a rapidly evolving field that requires multidisciplinary efforts. Future research should focus on developing materials with high sensitivity and selectivity towards specific gases, improving the stability and reproducibility of sensor response, and reducing the operating temperatures of the sensors.

Goal/Rationale:

Goal:The goal of this workshop is to explore the latest methods and advances in the design and synthesis of materials for gas sensing applications. The primary focus of the workshop will be on developing materials with high sensitivity and selectivity towards specific gases, as well as improving the stability and reproducibility of sensor response, and reducing the operating temperatures of the sensors. This workshop will bring an opportunity to discuss current challenges and identify potential solutions in the field of gas sensing. The ultimate goal of the workshop is to contribute to the advancement of gas sensing technology by fostering collaboration and innovation in materials design and synthesis.

Rationale: The rationale for this workshop lies in the importance of gas sensing technology for various industrial and environmental applications. The development of advanced materials with improved sensitivity, selectivity, and stability is crucial to enhancing the performance of gas sensors. The workshop provides a platform for exchange knowledge and ideas on the latest methods and advances in materials design and synthesis for gas sensing applications. There will be an interactive session and open discussions on current challenges and potential solutions in the field. This workshop is essential for advancing the field of gas sensing technology by providing a platform to exchange knowledge and ideas on the latest advances in materials design and synthesis. The workshop's primary goal of developing materials with high sensitivity and selectivity towards specific gases, improving the stability and reproducibility of sensor response, and reducing the operating temperatures of the sensors is vital to address the challenges facing the gas sensing industry.

Scope and Information for Participants:

The scope of the workshop is to explore the latest methods and advances in the design and synthesis of materials for gas sensing applications. Specific themes that contributors can address include the development of advanced materials with high sensitivity and selectivity towards specific gases, improving the stability and reproducibility of sensor response, and reducing the operating temperatures of the sensors. Real-time and multi-gas sensing challenges can also be discussed during the workshop. Furthermore, contributors can discuss potential applications of gas sensing technology in various industries and environmental monitoring. One such application is the use of gas sensors in food production to detect the presence of gases involving in food spoilage and/or contamination. By facilitating discussions and exchanging ideas, the workshop aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the latest research in materials design and synthesis for gas sensing technology and its potential applications in different fields.

Highlights:

On July 7, 2023, a workshop entitled "Advancements in Material Design for Room Temperature Gas Sensors" took place at the School of Materials Science and Engineering, UNSW Sydney, Australia. Dr. Sajjad S. Mofarah organized the workshop as part of the "2023 International Conference on Mechatronics and Smart Systems." The workshop brought together 15 esteemed researchers, including honors, masters, Ph.D. students, and several academics specializing in the fields of gas sensor materials design, defects in oxide materials for sensing applications, fundamental defect equilibria, and advancements in optical, gas, and biosensing.

The workshop covered a range of topics focusing on sensor designs, including:

1. Properties of n-type and p-type materials and their sensing mechanisms when exposed to gas analytes.

2. Enhancing sensor selectivity and sensitivity through the design of n-p type heterojunctions.

3. Fundamentals of defect chemistry, encompassing charge, electronic, and redox equilibria.

4. Utilizing XRD and XPS analyses to gain a comprehensive understanding of the chemistry of doped and defective materials.

5. Design, synthesis, and development of advanced sensors based on 3D metals and polymers for detecting and measuring various gas types.

Participants gained a thorough understanding of sensor structures, operational principles, and the critical factors involved in sensing applications. The workshop emphasized the significance of physical, structural, chemical, and optical properties of materials in influencing the performance of gas sensors.

Access to Workshop:

CONF-MSS 2023 Workshop -- Sydney - YouTube

Venue:

UNSW Sydney, High St Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia

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