Electrospun nanobridges towards self-heated gas sensors with enhanced sensitivity

Abstract

This paper reports the fabrication process of ZnO and GaN nanobridges by electrospinning, to be used for gas sensing applications. The main purpose is to produce single suspended fibers with their surfaces completely exposed to the gas for an enhanced sensitivity when compared with sensors fabricated with structures deposited on a substrate. In addition, the isolation from the substrate is highly favourable for a well-controlled current setting, taking advantage of self-heating effects to set appropriate temperatures for gas sensing. The current status of development of the nanobridge-based sensors is described in addition to a primary electrical characterization and the ongoing work involving the in-parallel fabrication.