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Highly sensitive methanol chemical sensor based on undoped silver oxide nanoparticles prepared by a solution method

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Abstract

We have prepared silver oxide nanoparticles (NPs) by a simple solution method using reducing agents in alkaline medium. The resulting NPs were characterized by UV–vis and FT-IR spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, and field-emission scanning electron microscopy. They were deposited on a glassy carbon electrode to give a sensor with a fast response towards methanol in liquid phase. The sensor also displays good sensitivity and long-term stability, and enhanced electrochemical response. The calibration plot is linear (r 2 = 0.8294) over the 0.12 mM to 0.12 M methanol concentration range. The sensitivity is ~2.65 μAcm−2 mM−1, and the detection limit is 36.0 μM (at a SNR of 3). We also discuss possible future prospective uses of this metal oxide semiconductor nanomaterial in terms of chemical sensing.

Un-doped silver oxide NPs are prepared by solution method, which is a promising material in a wide range of environmental applications due to their attractive properties. It is characterized by UV/visible, Raman, FT-IR spectroscopy’s, powder X-ray diffraction, and FE-SEM and applied for the fabrication of sensitive methanol sensor in short response time. The analytical performances of this sensors with large-active surface area of Ag2O NPs/AgE have higher sensitivity, lower detection limit, long-term stability, and exhibit highly enhanced toxic chemicals in reliable I-V method.

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Acknowledgements

Center of Excellence for Advanced Materials Research (CEAMR) and Chemistry department, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia is highly acknowledged. Authors are thankful to the Deanship of Scientific Research and Centre for Advanced Materials and Nano-Engineering (CAMNE), Najran University, Najran, Saudi Arabia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center of Excellence for Advanced Materials Research, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80203, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia

    Mohammed M. Rahman, Sher Bahadar Khan & Abdullah M. Asiri

  2. Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, P. O. Box 80203, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia

    Mohammed M. Rahman, Sher Bahadar Khan & Abdullah M. Asiri

  3. Department of Chemistry and Center for Advanced Materials and Nano-Engineering (CAMNE), Faculty of Sciences and Arts, Najran University, P. O. Box 1988, Najran, 11001, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

    Aslam Jamal & Mohd Faisal

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  1. Mohammed M. Rahman
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  2. Sher Bahadar Khan
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  3. Aslam Jamal
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  4. Mohd Faisal
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  5. Abdullah M. Asiri
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Correspondence to Mohammed M. Rahman.

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Rahman, M.M., Khan, S.B., Jamal, A. et al. Highly sensitive methanol chemical sensor based on undoped silver oxide nanoparticles prepared by a solution method. Microchim Acta 178, 99–106 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-012-0817-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-012-0817-2

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