Self-Powered, Room-Temperature Electronic Nose Based on Triboelectrification and Heterogeneous Catalytic Reaction

Herein, a self-powered electronic nose strategy with highly selective gas detection is described. The electronic nose is a two-dimensional microarray based on the triboelectrification between ZnO nanowires and the dielectric layers, and the heterogeneous catalytic reaction occurring on the nanowires and on the NiO nanoparticles. These electronic noses show the ability to distinguish between four volatile organic compound (VOC) gases (methanol, ethanol, acetone, and toluene) with a detection limit of 0.1% at room temperature using no external power source. A two-dimensional microarray functioning as a self-powered electronic nose with high gas selectivity is shown. This electronic sensor is based on the triboelectrification between ZnO nanowires and dielectric layers and the heterogeneous catalytic reaction occurring on those structures. The electronic noses are able to distinguish between four volatile organic compound gases with a detection limit of 0.1% and work at room temperature without an external power source.