Synergistic Sensing: Application of SiNWs-PANI:MO$_x$ Heterostructures for Human Respiratory Monitoring

TL;DR

This paper presents a novel hybrid silicon nanowire-based sensor coated with PANI and metal oxide nanoparticles, demonstrating enhanced respiratory detection capabilities due to improved electrical properties and surface characteristics.

Contribution

It introduces a new SiNWs-PANI:MO$_x$ hybrid structure for respiratory sensing, showing significant improvements over previous designs in sensitivity and stability.

Findings

Enhanced respiratory sensing response with SiNWs-PANI:MO$_x$ hybrids.

Superior stability and baseline drift characteristics.

Increased surface area and porosity improve sensor performance.

Abstract

In this study we investigate novel hybrid structure of silicon nanowires (SiNWs) coated with PANI:metaloxide(MO$_x$) nanoparticles i.e., WO$_3$ and TiO$_2$. The SiNWs were fabricated using MACE, whereas PANI:MO$_x$ were deposited using chemical oxidative polymerization method on SiNWs. To this date little attempts has been done to utilize such hybrid structures for respiratory sensing. The structures were characterized using RAMAN spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Electron disperssive spectroscopy, and Scanning electron microscopy. The electrical characterization to obtain respiratory sensing reveals excellent response compared to those obtained for SiNWs:MO$_x$ and SiNWs:PANI. Such enhancement in sensitivity is attributed to formation p-n heterojunction along side with wider conduction channel provided of PANI, increased porosity in SiNWs/PANI:WO$_3$ hybrid structures, providing active sites, increased oxygen vacancies and large surface area compared to that of pure MO$_x$ nanoparticles. Further, an improved drift in base line and sensor stability was established for the structure with PANI:WO$_3$ as compared to the PANI:TiO$_2$.