SnO2 nanowires for detection of chemical warfare agents

Among the wide range of interesting potential applications for nanowires (NWs) of semiconducting oxides, we have focused our attention on the sensing properties of SnO₂ NWs. SnO₂ NWs networks were prepared using evaporation/condensation technique. The morphology, crystalline structure, and composition of nanowires structures were investigated using scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and related energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Conductometric sensors based on SnO₂ NWs were developed and tested for chemical warfare simulants detection, a challenging application to demonstrate the different contribution of the above-mentioned technology to the gas-sensing field. SnO₂ NWs gas sensors were able to detect acetonitrile, dimethyl methyl phosphonate and dipropylene glycol methyl ether at concentrations close or below their Immediately Dangerous for Life and Health (IDHL) value.