TiO2 Nanotube arrays for sensing applications

Abstract

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanotubes have emerged as promising materials for gas sensing applications due to their high surface area and unique electronic properties. However, optimizing their synthesis for enhanced sensitivity remains a challenge. In this study, TiO2 nanotubes were synthesized for use as an efficient gas sensing material for detecting ethanol by anodizing pure titanium (Ti) thin (~0.5 mm) foil pieces at varying voltages (60V, 70V, 80V). The structural characteristics of the synthesized TiO2 nanotube arrays were analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), revealing a variation in tube diameters from approximately 60 nm to 90 nm depending on anodization time (1 hour and 2 hours). The sample anodized for 2 hours at 60V and subsequently annealed at 450°C for 1.5 hours demonstrated a tube length of approximately 6 μm. Furthermore, this study details the design of the gas sensor circuit, the ethanol sensing chamber, and an Arduino-based temperature control system. The gas sensing performance of the TiO2 nanotube-based sensor was evaluated under exposure to 1000 ppm ethanol, demonstrating the potential of this material for efficient alcohol detection