Gold nanoparticle sensors for environmental pollutant monitoring

Gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs) have been synthesised using a sacrificial anode electrolysis in the presence of tetra-alkyl-ammonium halides, employed as cationic stabilizers. Catalytic NPs have been then deposited on top of Field Effect (FE) gas sensing devices and subjected to mild annealing procedures. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) shows that the NP average core diameter is around 5 nm. X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) have been applied to the surface characterization of the annealed NP films used as active sensing layers. Morphological and spectroscopic results demonstrate that the annealed inorganic nano-clusters are finely dispersed and maintain a metallic oxidation state. Au-NPs can be proficiently employed as gate material in Si-Field Effect Gas Sensors. Preliminary results show interesting selectivity and sensitivity sensing features towards NO_x detection.