Ethanol Sparks Nanosensor Revolution
Engineers at Macquarie University have introduced an innovative method to drastically reduce the carbon footprint, cost, and time associated with manufacturing nanosensors. This advancement enhances efficiency and adaptability in the trillion-dollar global nanosensor industry.
The team’s breakthrough involves using a mere droplet of ethanol to treat individual sensors, departing from the traditional high-temperature heating process. Their recent study, titled ‘Enhanced UV Detection through Capillary-Driven Self-Assembled Microclusters,’ was published in the Journal of Advanced Functional Materials.
Nanosensors, composed of billions of nanoparticles on a compact surface, often encounter functionality issues upon initial fabrication. Associate Professor Noushin Nasiri, leader of Macquarie University’s Nanotech Laboratory, explained that the nanoparticles form weak bonds, leading to gaps that obstruct electrical signal transmission, consequently impairing sensor performance.
Ethanol Sparks Nanosensor Revolution: ultraviolet light sensors
Associate Professor Nasiri’s team stumbled upon this revelation while enhancing ultraviolet light sensors, crucial for Sunwatch technology that propelled Nasiri as a finalist for the 2023 Eureka Prize.
Nanosensors possess an extensive surface-to-volume ratio with multiple nanoparticle layers, heightening sensitivity to target substances. However, their efficacy typically requires a time-consuming, energy-intensive 12-hour heating process to fuse layers, establish electron-conducting channels, and activate the sensor.
Most polymer-based sensors are destroyed by furnaces, and nanosensors with tiny electrodes risk melting due to heat, limiting usable materials, according to Associate Professor Nasiri. However, Macquarie’s team found a technique that avoids this heat issue, enabling nanosensors to be crafted from a broader range of materials.
Ethanol Sparks Nanosensor Revolution: a droplet of ethanol
Ethanol droplet removes gaps between particles as surface atoms shift, Assoc. Prof. Nasiri clarifies. The ethanol notably enhances sensor efficiency and responsiveness beyond the impact of a 12-hour heating process.
The breakthrough emerged when postgraduate student Jayden (Xiaohu) Chen inadvertently splashed ethanol onto a sensor while cleaning equipment. Surprisingly, the mishap led to improved sensor performance, defying the assumption of device destruction.
An accident triggered the idea, but success relied on precise ethanol measurement through meticulous experimentation, Assoc. Prof. Nasiri explained.
Ethanol volumes
The team rigorously tested different ethanol volumes after Jayden’s initial discovery, akin to the tale of Goldilocks. Three microliters proved ineffective, 10 microliters damaged the sensing layer, while five microliters proved optimal.
The team holds pending patents for this breakthrough, with potential for significant impact in the nanosensor realm. The method rapidly activates UV light sensors and substance detectors within a minute using precise ethanol.
Global companies express interest; in collaboration with Assoc. Prof. Nasiri for implementation.
Read the original article on sciencedaily.
Read more: Using Liquid Metals to Synthesize High-Entropy Alloy Nanoparticles.
