Photoactivated ${\rm TiO}_{2}$ Gas Chromatograph Detector for Diverse Chemical Compounds Sensing at Room Temperature

A photoactivated gas detector operated at room temperature is microfabricated using a simple TiO₂ sol-gel process. Prior to ultraviolet (UV) illumination, water-soluble compounds (short-chain alcohols) are dissociated in the thin water film on the TiO₂ surface and are detected. However, less water-soluble compounds were not detected because of these water layers. With the increase of the photoinduced oxygen ions by UV illumination, it is first reported that less water-soluble organic compounds (e.g., ethyl acetate and 1, 4-dioxane) are detected with the photoactivated gas detector. The proposed detector greatly extends the detection range of metal-oxide-based sensors for use in gas chromatographs.