We are thrilled to announce the publication of an important scientific paper in the prestigious “Elsevier Journal of Alloys and Compounds,” which boasts an Impact Factor of 5.8. The paper, titled “Ultra-selective hydrogen sensors based on CuO – ZnO hetero-structures grown by surface conversion,” is accessible via ScienceDirect (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2024.175385). The first author of this study is Dinu LITRA, a first-year Ph.D. student in the Department of Microelectronics and Biomedical Engineering (DMIB) at the UTM Faculty of Computers, Informatics, and Microelectronics (FCIM). His research was conducted under the mentorship of Prof. Dr. habil. Oleg LUPAN, head of DMIB and director of the Center for Nanotechnologies and Nanosensors, and in collaboration with international teams led by Prof. Dr. habil. Rainer ADELUNG from Germany, Prof. Dr. Mishra from India, and Prof. Dr. habil. Nora H. de LEEUW from the UK and the Netherlands.
The article was published in Gold Open Access format, providing millions of researchers around the world free access to this significant research through the ScienceDirect platform. This publication not only enhances the impact of the research but also elevates the visibility of the authors and UTM.
The research focuses on the development and characterization of highly selective hydrogen sensors based on CuO and ZnO heterostructures grown by surface conversion. The results are impressive, demonstrating exceptional selectivity and sensitivity in hydrogen detection, which is crucial for industrial and safety applications.
This paper describes a new core@shell gas sensing material of tetrapodal zinc oxide with a surface coating of crystalline copper oxide(t-ZnO@CuO). The innovative surface conversion strategy yields a unique coating of CuO nanoplatelets. The morphologies, structural, chemical and gas sensing properties of the heterostructure were investigated. To evaluate the sensing properties of the heterostructure, t-ZnO@CuO was fabricated as nanosensors, consisting of one core-shell rod of CuO-coated crystalline ZnO. The nanosensors showed high selectivity towards hydrogen at comparatively low operation temperatures of 150°C. Additionally, computational calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) were performed to understand the interaction of the H2 gas molecule with the CuO nanostructure surface. The surface conversion was achieved through a novel, simple wet chemical method, applicable for generating various heterostructures transferable into p-n heterojunctions with unique properties for chemosensors, biomedical engineering, and nanoelectronics.
Dr. Dinu LITRA shared his satisfaction and pride in their achievements:
“The research conducted with colleagues from renowned universities in Germany, India, the UK, and the Netherlands has allowed us to gain deep experience and knowledge in developing new nanodevices and unique portable nanosensors that can be used for gas leak detection, thereby helping to prevent accidents. This is my first peer-reviewed and Gold Open Access scientific paper that I managed to publish in my first year of Ph.D. studies at UTM.”
The Department of Microelectronics and Biomedical Engineering is an ideal partner for international collaborations due to its study programs: “Microelectronics and Nanotechnologies,” “Applied Electronics,” and “Biomedical Engineering” for Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, as well as five Ph.D. specializations. Young researchers interested in developing or investigating such nanodevices have the opportunity to carry out their work at the Center for Nanotechnologies and Nanosensors, an integral part of DMIB, UTM.
Open access to this research through Gold Open Access not only promotes transparency and knowledge dissemination but also provides a platform for future collaborations and innovations in the field of nanosensors and nanotechnologies.
Online references:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2024.175385
https://fcim.utm.md/departamentele-fcim/departamentul-mib/
https://utm.md/blog/2023/03/24/masterat-2023-o-noua-promotie-de-masteranzi-la-fcim-utm/
