TY - JOUR
T1 - Unlocking superior NO2 sensitivity and selectivity
T2 - the role of sulfur abstraction in indium sulfide (InS) nanosheet-based sensors
AU - D'Olimpio, Gianluca
AU - Boukhvalov, Danil W.
AU - Galstyan, Vardan
AU - Occhiuzzi, Jessica
AU - Vorochta, Michael
AU - Amati, Matteo
AU - Milosz, Zygmunt
AU - Gregoratti, Luca
AU - Istrate, Marian Cosmin
AU - Kuo, Chia Nung
AU - Lue, Chin Shan
AU - Ghica, Corneliu
AU - Comini, Elisabetta
AU - Politano, Antonio
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 The Royal Society of Chemistry.
PY - 2024/3/18
Y1 - 2024/3/18
N2 - To advance gas sensor technologies, it is essential to identify materials that exhibit both high selectivity and sensitivity. Here, we unravel the gas-sensing capabilities of indium sulfide (InS) nanosheets, particularly in relation to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) detection. Utilizing a synergistic approach that combines in situ and operando experimental methodologies with density functional theory calculations, we demonstrate that these nanosheets offer outstanding sensitivity toward NO2, characterized by a remarkably low detection threshold of 180 ppb at an operational temperature of 350 °C. This remarkable sensitivity is ascribed to the electronic charge redistribution around the Fermi level, facilitated by an oxygen-deficient In2O3−x surface layer that forms naturally when the InS surface is exposed to ambient conditions. A pivotal aspect of our investigation was the exploration of the influence of sulfur abstraction on these surface modifications. We demonstrate that sulfur abstraction plays a critical role in the formation and operational efficacy of the In2O3−x layer, thereby acting as a key element in the sensor mechanism. This unique surface chemistry not only amplifies the sensitivity to NO2 but also confers unparalleled selectivity over other gases and volatile organic compounds. Notably, this level of performance exceeds that of other 2D semiconductors and metal oxides, thus establishing InS nanosheets as an ideal platform for high-performance gas sensors suitable for demanding environments. Moreover, unlike many state-of-the-art sensor materials, InS-based sensors can withstand a wider variety of environmental conditions due to their superior water adsorption resistance.
AB - To advance gas sensor technologies, it is essential to identify materials that exhibit both high selectivity and sensitivity. Here, we unravel the gas-sensing capabilities of indium sulfide (InS) nanosheets, particularly in relation to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) detection. Utilizing a synergistic approach that combines in situ and operando experimental methodologies with density functional theory calculations, we demonstrate that these nanosheets offer outstanding sensitivity toward NO2, characterized by a remarkably low detection threshold of 180 ppb at an operational temperature of 350 °C. This remarkable sensitivity is ascribed to the electronic charge redistribution around the Fermi level, facilitated by an oxygen-deficient In2O3−x surface layer that forms naturally when the InS surface is exposed to ambient conditions. A pivotal aspect of our investigation was the exploration of the influence of sulfur abstraction on these surface modifications. We demonstrate that sulfur abstraction plays a critical role in the formation and operational efficacy of the In2O3−x layer, thereby acting as a key element in the sensor mechanism. This unique surface chemistry not only amplifies the sensitivity to NO2 but also confers unparalleled selectivity over other gases and volatile organic compounds. Notably, this level of performance exceeds that of other 2D semiconductors and metal oxides, thus establishing InS nanosheets as an ideal platform for high-performance gas sensors suitable for demanding environments. Moreover, unlike many state-of-the-art sensor materials, InS-based sensors can withstand a wider variety of environmental conditions due to their superior water adsorption resistance.
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U2 - 10.1039/d4ta01287a
DO - 10.1039/d4ta01287a
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85189303163
SN - 2050-7488
VL - 12
SP - 10329
EP - 10340
JO - Journal of Materials Chemistry A
JF - Journal of Materials Chemistry A
IS - 17
ER -