Microstructure, optical properties, and sensing performance of gold-yttria-stabilized-zirconia nanocomposites for aggressive-environment applications.

摘要

Growing environmental concerns associated with the use of fossil fuels have necessitated the development of a new approach to energy generation that is based on the synergistic operation of existing and developing power systems. Accordingly, further advances in materials and enabling technologies such as sensor technology, are required in order to meet the energy and environmental challenges of the 21st century.; In this thesis, the possibility of using the optical signature of gold (Au) nanoparticles embedded in an yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) matrix as a sensing signal at elevated temperatures is examined. The feasibility of Au nanoparticle based detection of carbon monoxide (CO) in an air environment up to 500°C is demonstrated for the first time.; The nanocomposites were synthesized from a Au and a YSZ target by a radio frequency (rf) magnetron co-sputtering process and a subsequent anneal in an argon atmosphere. The evolution of the microstructure and optical properties of the nanocomposites is examined as a function of annealing temperature, in the range between room temperature and 1000°C. The sensing properties of the Au-YSZ nanocomposite films towards CO up to 500°C, along with their oxygen and temperature dependence are investigated, and the sensing mechanism is discussed.