Sensing element for chemiresistor sensor and method of making same
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Publication Number
US-11965867-B2
Publication Date
2024-04-23
Expiration Date
Abstract
A sensing element for a chemiresistor sensor and a method of making such a sensing element is disclosed. The sensing element may include: one or more first type of 3D elements, each comprising a first type of chemiresistor particles; and one or more second type of 3D elements, each comprising a second type of chemiresistor particles. At least one of the one or more first type of 3D elements and at least one of the one or more second type of 3D elements may have one or more joint surface. The first type of chemiresistor particles may differ from the second type of chemiresistor particles by at least one of: a type of nanoparticle core and a type of organic ligands bonded to each nanoparticle core.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a chemiresistor sensor having a sensing element that comprises one or more first type of 3D elements and one or more second type of 3D elements. Each first type of 3D element comprises a first type of chemiresistor particles, and each second type of 3D element comprises a second type of chemiresistor particles. Surfaces of at least one first type of 3D element are joined to surfaces of at least one second type of 3D element, and the first and second 3D elements form a multilayered 3D structure.
The first type of chemiresistor particles differ from the second type of chemiresistor particles by at least one of a type of nanoparticle core and a type of organic ligands bonded to each nanoparticle core. The nanoparticle core type may differ by conductive materials, including conductive metals, alloys, and conductive oxides, and may also differ by nanoparticle core size, shape, and crystallinity. The organic ligands may differ by ligand functional groups, including ligand types such as thiols and silanes and ligand classes such as diazoniums and carboxylic acids.
The joined first and second types of 3D elements and their multilayered arrangement enable the first and second types of chemiresistor particles to be used to detect different volatile compounds. The document further characterizes multilayered 3D architectures including alternating layers and chessboard like cube structures to enable sensing of different volatile compound major categories while mitigating interference from undesired volatile compounds via selective placement and electrode joint-surface coupling.
Claims Coverage
The document provides two independent claims covering a chemiresistor sensor sensing element and a chemiresistor sensor including two electrodes. Across these independent claims, there are five main inventive features: joined first and second types of 3D elements, a multilayered 3D structure, first and second chemiresistor particle types differing by nanoparticle core and/or organic ligands, detection of different volatile compounds using the two particle types, and the integration of the sensing element with two electrodes and joined surfaces.
Joined first and second types of 3D elements
A sensing element comprises one or more first type of 3D elements and one or more second type of 3D elements, wherein surfaces of at least one of the one or more first type of 3D elements are joined to surfaces of at least one of the one or more second type of 3D elements.
Multilayered 3D structure
The one or more first type of 3D elements and the one or more second 3D elements form a multilayered 3D structure.
Different chemiresistor particles via nanoparticle cores and organic ligands
The first type of chemiresistor particles differ from the second type of chemiresistor particles by at least one of: a type of nanoparticle core and a type of organic ligands bonded to each nanoparticle core.
Detection of different volatile compounds using the particle types
The first and second types of chemiresistor particles can be used to detect different volatile compounds.
Two-electrode chemiresistor sensor with joined sensing element
A chemiresistor sensor comprises two electrodes and a sensing element comprising joined first type of 3D elements and second type of 3D elements forming a multilayered structure, where at least one surface joining occurs between the first and second types of 3D elements, and the first and second chemiresistor particles differ by at least one of: a type of nanoparticle core and a type of organic ligands bonded to each nanoparticle core.
The independent claims broadly cover a chemiresistor sensing element built from joined first and second types of 3D elements forming a multilayered 3D structure, where the first and second chemiresistor particles differ by nanoparticle core and/or organic ligands so the two particle types can be used to detect different volatile compounds. One independent claim further integrates the sensing element into a two-electrode chemiresistor sensor.
Stated Advantages
Enables sensing of different volatile compound major categories.
Mitigates interference from undesired volatile compounds.
Documented Applications
Sensing of volatile compounds, including detection of different volatile compounds and volatile compound major categories.
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