Objective
The present research project is directed to the design of the novel class of advanced materials based on the nanometer-scaled heterogeneous metal oxides systems SnO2-M2O (nanocomposites) for gas sensor applications. The solution of this problem requires the combination of chemical and material science approaches in the frame of scientific cooperation of INTAS and NIS laboratories.
The joint project will allow a development of physical and chemical routes of materials elaboration and interdisciplinary study of gas molecule impact on the chemical state and electrical properties of nanocomposites by application of different in situ characterization methods: Raman and IR Spectroscopy, 119Sn and 57Fe probe Mössbauer spectroscopy, Complex Impedance Spectroscopy, Electrical Measurements in DC mode and Mass-Spectrometry. Particular attention will be paid to give the comprehensive information about the mechanism of gas sensitivity of heterogeneous nanometer-scaled systems.
The collected expertise of three INTAS and four NIS teams in Chemistry, Physics and Material Science of nanometer-scaled inorganic systems will allow an efficient approach to the research strategy. The engine of the collaboration will be synthesis and characterization of nanometer-scaled materials performed at all labs. The subsequent analysis will include the detailed investigation of composition, microstructure and electrical properties of materials with relation of gas sensing phenomena. The effects of gas atmosphere of different redox properties: (e.g. air, N2, CO, H2, NH3, and NO2) on the grain boundary state, cation distribution between grain bulk and surface will be revealed. There are the complementary in situ techniques for investigation of gas sensitivity mechanism; the authors of this project recently perform the encouraging results of preliminary studies.
The project involve seven labs, 34 scientists, of which 17 (11 from NIS partners) are participants below the age of 35. The project will be managed from the Department of Chemistry and Physics for Engineering and for Materials (University of Brescia, Faculty of Chemistry) through Professor Guido Faglia and special effort will be made to the train young scientists into INTAS labs involving shorter or longer visits.
The expected results involve:
-the conditions of sol-gel, aerosol pyrolysis, magnetron sputtering and laser ablation methods of nanocomposites elaboration with well-defined composition, microstructure and electrical properties;
-the mechanism of gas sensitivity of nanocomposites;
-the conditions of electrical switching effect in heterogeneous nanometer-scaled materials generated by gas molecules;
-the selection criteria concerning the nanocomposite design suitable to be used in the chemical sensors.
Topic(s)
Call for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
Data not availableCoordinator
25123 Brescia
Italy