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Compared with the traditional ionization sensor, triple electrode ionization gas sensor based on carbon nanotubes features excellent performances of small size and low operation voltage, and plays an important role in developing smart grids and the ubiquitous Internet of Things. However, they exhibit the disadvantages of small collecting current and low sensitivity, and need to be optimized in structure. Based on the Townsend discharge mechanism and three governing equations of particle mass conservation, electron energy conservation and Poisson equations, a two-dimensional plasma discharge fluid simulation model of the sensor is established by using the COMSOL Multiphysics software. According to gas composition, component concentration, structure of the sensor and voltage applied to the electrodes, we determine the chemical reaction, reaction rate coefficient, field control equation, initial values and boundary conditions. In order to calculate the interior distribution of charged particles inside the boundary, the inter-electrode space region is meshed. Initial values of mesh are set, such as a dense mesh of nano-meter length around the electrode having micro-nano structure, and a rough mesh of micro-meter length in the other region of inter-electrode space. The initial values of time-step are set for each mesh grid, and the discharge model of each mesh grid is numerically solved by the finite volume method. The three linkage governing equations are discretized and calculated iteratively in time and space, and the mesh values and time-steps are adjusted to make the results converged. The electrostatic field distribution and the average collecting current density of the eight kinds of sensors are obtained in the background gas of nitrogen. The optimal sensor structure is obtained by comparing the electric field intensities and current densities under different structure parameters. The eight kinds of the sensors are prepared for experimentally verifying the optimization method. The optimal structure of the 7# sensor has the highest collecting current density in the eight kind structures, which is consistent with the simulation results, and proves the feasibility of the structure optimization method proposed in the paper. Based on the optimal structure, the sensors, respectively with the electrode spacings of 100 and 120 μm, are fabricated, and the response characteristics of NO/SO2 mixture gas are obtained. Compared with other technologies, the sensor with optimal structure exhibits 1－2 orders of sensitivity higher than the others. The optimized triple electrode ionization sensor based on carbon nanotubes exhibits many potential applications.
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Keywords:
- fluid model /
- carbon nanotube based ionization sensor /
- structure optimization /
- high sensitivity
[1] Gomes J B A, Rodrigues J J P C, Rabelo R A L, Tanwar S, Al-Muhtadi J, Kozlov S 2020 Trans. Emerging Tel. Tech. 4 e3967
[2] Vijayalakshmi J, Puthilibhai G, Siddarth S R L 2019 Proceedings of the Third International Conference on I-SMAC Palladam, India, December 1–4, 2019 p778
[3] Mubin M H, Chaudhary K, Haider Z, Dabagh S, Ali J 2018 J. Comput. Theor. Nanosci. 15 1059
Google Scholar
[4] Sun D J, Luo Y F, Debliquy M, Zhang C 2018 Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 9 2832
Google Scholar
[5] Zhang J, Jiang G P, Cumberland T, Xu P, Wu Y L, Delaat S, Yu A P, Chen Z W A 2019 InfoMat 1 234
Google Scholar
[6] Wu M L, Shin J M, Hong Y, Jang D, Jin X S, Kwon H I, Lee J H 2018 Sens. Actuators, B 259 1058
Google Scholar
[7] Sayago I, Terrado E, Lafuente E, Horrillo M C, Maser W K, Benito A M, Navarro R, Urriolabeitia E P, Martinez M T, Gutierrez J 2005 Synth. Met. 148 15
Google Scholar
[8] Li C L, Su Y, Lv X Y, Xia H L, Wang Y J 2010 Sens. Actuators, B 149 427
Google Scholar
[9] Zhang J Y, Zhang Y, Pan Z G, Yang S, Shi J H, Li S T, Min D M, Li X, Wang X H, Liu D X, Yang A J 2015 Appl. Phys. Lett. 107 093104
Google Scholar
[10] Pan Z G, Zhang Y, Cheng Z Z, Liang B D, Zhang J Y, Li X, Wang X H, Liu D X, Yang A J, Rong M Z, Chen X W 2017 Sens. Actuators, B 245 183
Google Scholar
[11] Pan Z G, Zhang Y, Cheng Z Z, Tong J M, Chen Q Y, Zhang J P, Zhang J X, Li X 2017 Sensors 17 473
Google Scholar
[12] Zhang Y, Li S T, Zhang J Y, Pan Z G, Min D M, Li X, Song X P, Liu J H 2013 Sci. Rep. 3 1267
Google Scholar
[13] Govardhan K, Narmada K, Grace N 2013 Proceedings of 2013 COMSOL Conference Bangalore, India, October 23–25, 2013 p182099
[14] Wilde J, Lai Y Q 2003 Microelectron. Reliab 43 345
Google Scholar
[15] Atieh R K 2012 M. S. Thesis (Seri Iskandar: University Teknologi Petronas)
[16] Chivu N, Kahrizi M 2012 IEEE International Conference on Industrial Technology (ICIT) Athens, Greece, Match 19–21, 2013 p178
[17] Abdel-Salam M, Anis H, El-Morshedy A, Radwan R 2000 High-Voltage Engineering: Theory and Practice (New York: Dekker) pp11–120
[18] Sakiyama Y, Graves D B, Chang H W, Shimizu T, Morfill G E 2012 J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. 45 425201
Google Scholar
[19] Brunet H, RoccaSerra J 1985 J. Appl. Phys. 57 1574
Google Scholar
[20] Guerra V, Sá P A, Loureiro J 2001 J. Phys. D.: Appl. Phys. 34 1745
Google Scholar
[21] Zhao G B, Hu X D, Argyle M D, Radosz M 2004 Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 43 5077
Google Scholar
[22] Hagelaar G J M, Pitchford L C 2005 Plasma Sources Sci. Technol. 14 722
Google Scholar
[23] Alphasense. NO-B1 Nitric Oxide Sensor NO Gas Sensor. https://www.isweek.com/Uploads/20160129/56ab1f1083efc.pdf
[24] City. NX1 CiTiceL Nitric Oxide Sensor NO Gas Sensor. https://www.citytech.com.cn/PDF-Datasheets/nx1.pdf.
[25] City Technology. 3SF CiTiceL Sulphur dioxide (SO2) Gas Sensor. http://www.citytech.com.cn/PDF-Datasheets/3sf.pdf.
[26] City Technology. 5SF CiTiceL Sulphur dioxide (SO2) Gas Sensor. http://www.citytech.com.cn/PDF-Datasheets/5sf.pdf.
[27] DD Scientific. GS+7SO2 Sulphur Dioxide Sensor (SO2). http://www.ddscientific.com/uploads/5/7/1/3/57136893/gs_7so2_datasheet.pdf.
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图 1 碳纳米管三电极传感器示意图
Figure 1. Schematic diagram of the carbon nanotube triple electrode sensor.
图 2 传感器测量电路示意图
Figure 2. Schematic diagram of the measuring circuit.
图 3 传感器仿真模型 (a) 传感器的二维模型示意图; (b) 传感器的静电场二维轴对称仿真场域模型
Figure 3. Simulation model: (a) Longitudinal section diagram of the two-dimensional model; (b) two-dimensional axisymmetric field simulation model of the electrostatic field.
图 4 模型添加的边界条件 (a) 阴极边界; (b) 引出极边界; (c) 收集极边界
Figure 4. Boundary conditions: (a) The cathode; (b) extracting electrode; (c) collecting electrode.
图 5 传感器极间一半场域模型网格剖分图 (a) 极间一半场域剖分; (b) 单根碳管周边局部场域剖分
Figure 5. Grid mesh of sensor model in the half region of interelectrode: (a) Mesh in the half region of interelectrode; (b) mesh in the local region around carbon nanotube.
图 6 传感器的纵向电场分布
Figure 6. Longitudinal electric field distribution of the sensor.
图 7 4种不同收集极结构的传感器电极示意图 (a) 1#传感器; (b) 2#传感器; (c) 3#传感器; (d) 4#传感器
Figure 7. Schematic diagram of the electrodes with four different collecting structures: (a) 1# sensor; (b) 2# sensor; (c) 3# sensor; (d) 4# sensor.
图 8 不同引出孔直径传感器静电场仿真 (a) 引出孔直径4 mm; (b) 引出孔直径3 mm; (c) 引出孔直径2 mm; (d) 引出孔直径1.2 mm; (e) 引出孔直径1 mm
Figure 8. Electrostatic field simulation of the sensors with different outlet diameters of (a) 4 mm, (b) 3 mm, (c) 2 mm, (d) 1.2 mm, and (e) 1 mm.
图 9 3种不同引出极结构的传感器电极示意图 (a) 1#传感器; (b) 5#传感器; (c) 6#传感器
Figure 9. Schematic diagram of the electrodes with three different extracting electrode structures: (a) 1# sensor; (b) 5# sensor; (c) 6# sensor.
图 10 3种不同阴极结构的传感器电极示意图 (a) 6#传感器; (b) 7#传感器; (c) 8#传感器
Figure 10. Schematic diagram of the electrodes with three different cathode structures: (a) 6# sensor; (b) 7# sensor; (c) 8# sensor.
图 11 仿真与实验电流密度对比
Figure 11. Comparison of current densities obtained through simulation and experiment.
图 12 氮气背景NO和SO2混合气体敏感特性曲线 (a) 不同SO2的体积分数(1 ppm = 10–6)下100 μm极间距NO传感器收集电流与NO的体积分数的关系曲线; (b) 不同NO的体积分数下120 μm极间距SO2传感器收集电流与SO2的体积分数的关系曲线
Figure 12. Sensitivity characteristic curves of the sensor array for measuring NO and SO2 mixture in nitrogen: (a) Collecting currents of the NO sensor with the electrode spacing of 100 μm versus volume fraction of NO under different volume fractions of SO2; (b) collecting currents of the SO2 sensor with the electrode spacing of 120 μm versus volume fraction of SO2 under different volume fractions of NO.
表 1 仿真建模参数
Table 1. Parameters of the simulation model.
d/μm Ue/V Uc/V 极板厚度/μm 收集极槽参数 引出极孔半径/mm 阴极孔半径/mm 碳纳米管参数 数值 100 100 1 450 6 mm × 8 mm,
200 μm深3 2 长: 5 μm, 尖端半径:
10 nm, 间距: 200 nm
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表 2 网格剖分尺寸
Table 2. Mesh size of the model.
整体区域 阴极碳纳米管边界 阴极非碳纳米管边界 引出极、收集极边界 最大单元尺寸/μm 40 0.5 20 30 最小单元尺寸/μm 10 0.001 20 30 最大单元生长率 1.25 1.25 — — 曲率解析度 0.25 0.2 — — 狭窄区域解析度 1 1 — —
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表 3 气体电离流体仿真模型的区域反应
Table 3. Regional reactions of the fluid simulation model on gas ionization.
类型 序号 反应式 反应率系数k/(m3·s–1) 参考文献 电子碰撞 R1 e + N2 → e + N2 f(Te) [18] R2 e + N2 → e + $ {\rm{N}}_{2}\left({\rm{A}}^{3}\Sigma _{\rm{u}}^{+}\right) $ f(Te) [18] R3 e + N2 → e + $ {\rm{N}}_{2}\left({\rm{a'}}^{1}\Sigma _{\rm{u}}^{-}\right) $ f(Te) [18] R4 e + N2 → 2e +$ {\rm{N}}_{2}^{+} $ f(Te) [18] R5 e +$ {\rm{N}}_{4}^{+} $ → N2 + N2 4.73 × 10–11/(Te0.53) [18] R6 e + N2 + $ {\rm{N}}_{2}^{+} $ → 2N2 3.12 × 10–35/Te1.5 [18] R7 e + e +$ {\rm{N}}_{2}^{+} $ → N2 1 × 10–31 × (Tg/Te)4.5 [18] 重粒子反应 R8 $ {\rm{N}}_{2}\left({\rm{A}}^{3}\Sigma _{\rm{u}}^{+}\right) $ + $ {\rm{N}}_{2}\left({\rm{a'}}^{1}\Sigma _{\rm{u}}^{-}\right) $ → e + N2 +$ {\rm{N}}_{2}^{+} $ 5.0 × 10–17 [19] R9 $ {\rm{N}}_{2}\left({\rm{a'}}^{1}\Sigma _{\rm{u}}^{-}\right) $ + $ {\rm{N}}_{2}\left({\rm{a'}}^{1}\Sigma _{\rm{u}}^{-}\right) $ → e + N2 +$ {\rm{N}}_{2}^{+} $ 2.0 × 10–16 [19] R10 $ {\rm{N}}_{2}\left({\rm{A}}^{3}\Sigma _{\rm{u}}^{+}\right) $ + $ {\rm{N}}_{2}\left({\rm{a'}}^{1}\Sigma _{\rm{u}}^{-}\right) $ → e + $ {\rm{N}}_{4}^{+} $ 5.0 × 10–17 [20] R11 $ {\rm{N}}_{2}\left({\rm{a'}}^{1}\Sigma _{\rm{u}}^{-}\right) $ + $ {\rm{N}}_{2}\left({\rm{a'}}^{1}\Sigma _{\rm{u}}^{-}\right) $ → e + $ {\rm{N}}_{4}^{+} $ 2.0 × 10–16 [20] R12 $ {\rm{N}}_{2}\left({\rm{A}}^{3}\Sigma _{\rm{u}}^{+}\right) $ + N2 → N2 + N2 3.0 × 10–22 [19] R13 $ {\rm{N}}_{2}\left({\rm{a'}}^{1}\Sigma _{\rm{u}}^{-}\right) $+ N2 → N2 + N2 2.3 × 10–19 [21] R14 $ {\rm{N}}_{2}^{+} $ + N2 + N2 → $ {\rm{N}}_{4}^{+} $ + N2 1 × 10–41 × (300/Te) [18] R15 $ {\rm{N}}_{4}^{+} $ + N2 → $ {\rm{N}}_{2}^{+} $ + N2 + N2 2.1 × 10–16exp(Tg/121) [18]
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表 4 电极表面化学反应
Table 4. Chemical reactions on the electrode surface
序号 表面化学反应 碳纳米管
材料边界其他电
极边界γe εr/eV γe εr/eV 1 ${\rm{N} }_{2}\big({\rm{A} }^{3}\Sigma _{\rm{u} }^{+}\big)$ + 电极 → N2 0 0 0 0 2 ${\rm{N} }_{2}\big({\rm{a'} }^{1}\Sigma _{\rm{u} }^{-}\big)$ + 电极 → N2 0 0 0 0 3 $ {\rm{N}}_{2}^{+} $ + 电极 → N2 0.2 2 0 0 4 $ {\rm{N}}_{4}^{+} $+ 电极 → 2N2 0.2 2 0 0
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表 5 4种不同收集极结构的传感器的仿真放电参数
Table 5. Simulation discharge parameters of the four sensors with different collecting electrode structures.
传感器
型号电子浓
度/m–3正离子
浓度/m–3平均收集电流
密度/(A·m–2)1 4.88 × 1011 9.30 × 1013 6.50 × 10-4 2 3.32 × 1011 4.85 × 1013 4.09 × 10-4 3 4.36 × 1011 6.10 × 1013 4.67 × 10-4 4 4.61 × 1011 6.29 × 1013 4.96 × 10-4
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表 6 3种不同引出极结构的传感器的仿真放电参数
Table 6. Simulation discharge parameters of the three sensors with different extracting electrode structures.
传感器
型号电子浓
度/m–3正离子
浓度/m–3平均收集电流
密度/(A·m–2)1 4.88 × 1011 9.30 × 1013 6.50 × 10–4 5 6.87 × 1011 1.12 × 1014 7.77 × 10–4 6 2.15 × 1012 3.25 × 1014 9.99 × 10–4
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表 7 3种不同阴极结构的传感器的仿真放电参数
Table 7. Simulation discharge parameters of the sensors with three different cathode structures.
传感器
型号电子浓
度/m–3正离子浓
度/m–3平均收集电流
密度/(A·m–2)6 2.15 × 1012 3.25 × 1014 9.99 × 10–4 7 2.28 × 1012 3.67 × 1014 1.00 × 10–3 8 1.99 × 1012 3.09 × 1014 9.93 × 10–4
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表 8 传感器阵列测量NO和SO2两组分混合气体的实验条件
Table 8. Experimental conditions of NO and SO2 mixtures detection with a sensor array.
实验条件 NO传感器 SO2传感器 极间距/μm 100 120 阴极电压/V 0 引出极电压/V 150 收集极电压/V 10 NO体积分数 0—1114 × 10–6 SO2体积分数 0—735 × 10–6
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表 9 碳纳米管三电极传感器与现有NO, SO2传感器的性能对比
Table 9. Performance comparison of carbon nanotube based triple electrode sensors with the existing NO and SO2 sensors.
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[1] Gomes J B A, Rodrigues J J P C, Rabelo R A L, Tanwar S, Al-Muhtadi J, Kozlov S 2020 Trans. Emerging Tel. Tech. 4 e3967
[2] Vijayalakshmi J, Puthilibhai G, Siddarth S R L 2019 Proceedings of the Third International Conference on I-SMAC Palladam, India, December 1–4, 2019 p778
[3] Mubin M H, Chaudhary K, Haider Z, Dabagh S, Ali J 2018 J. Comput. Theor. Nanosci. 15 1059
Google Scholar
[4] Sun D J, Luo Y F, Debliquy M, Zhang C 2018 Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 9 2832
Google Scholar
[5] Zhang J, Jiang G P, Cumberland T, Xu P, Wu Y L, Delaat S, Yu A P, Chen Z W A 2019 InfoMat 1 234
Google Scholar
[6] Wu M L, Shin J M, Hong Y, Jang D, Jin X S, Kwon H I, Lee J H 2018 Sens. Actuators, B 259 1058
Google Scholar
[7] Sayago I, Terrado E, Lafuente E, Horrillo M C, Maser W K, Benito A M, Navarro R, Urriolabeitia E P, Martinez M T, Gutierrez J 2005 Synth. Met. 148 15
Google Scholar
[8] Li C L, Su Y, Lv X Y, Xia H L, Wang Y J 2010 Sens. Actuators, B 149 427
Google Scholar
[9] Zhang J Y, Zhang Y, Pan Z G, Yang S, Shi J H, Li S T, Min D M, Li X, Wang X H, Liu D X, Yang A J 2015 Appl. Phys. Lett. 107 093104
Google Scholar
[10] Pan Z G, Zhang Y, Cheng Z Z, Liang B D, Zhang J Y, Li X, Wang X H, Liu D X, Yang A J, Rong M Z, Chen X W 2017 Sens. Actuators, B 245 183
Google Scholar
[11] Pan Z G, Zhang Y, Cheng Z Z, Tong J M, Chen Q Y, Zhang J P, Zhang J X, Li X 2017 Sensors 17 473
Google Scholar
[12] Zhang Y, Li S T, Zhang J Y, Pan Z G, Min D M, Li X, Song X P, Liu J H 2013 Sci. Rep. 3 1267
Google Scholar
[13] Govardhan K, Narmada K, Grace N 2013 Proceedings of 2013 COMSOL Conference Bangalore, India, October 23–25, 2013 p182099
[14] Wilde J, Lai Y Q 2003 Microelectron. Reliab 43 345
Google Scholar
[15] Atieh R K 2012 M. S. Thesis (Seri Iskandar: University Teknologi Petronas)
[16] Chivu N, Kahrizi M 2012 IEEE International Conference on Industrial Technology (ICIT) Athens, Greece, Match 19–21, 2013 p178
[17] Abdel-Salam M, Anis H, El-Morshedy A, Radwan R 2000 High-Voltage Engineering: Theory and Practice (New York: Dekker) pp11–120
[18] Sakiyama Y, Graves D B, Chang H W, Shimizu T, Morfill G E 2012 J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. 45 425201
Google Scholar
[19] Brunet H, RoccaSerra J 1985 J. Appl. Phys. 57 1574
Google Scholar
[20] Guerra V, Sá P A, Loureiro J 2001 J. Phys. D.: Appl. Phys. 34 1745
Google Scholar
[21] Zhao G B, Hu X D, Argyle M D, Radosz M 2004 Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 43 5077
Google Scholar
[22] Hagelaar G J M, Pitchford L C 2005 Plasma Sources Sci. Technol. 14 722
Google Scholar
[23] Alphasense. NO-B1 Nitric Oxide Sensor NO Gas Sensor. https://www.isweek.com/Uploads/20160129/56ab1f1083efc.pdf
[24] City. NX1 CiTiceL Nitric Oxide Sensor NO Gas Sensor. https://www.citytech.com.cn/PDF-Datasheets/nx1.pdf.
[25] City Technology. 3SF CiTiceL Sulphur dioxide (SO2) Gas Sensor. http://www.citytech.com.cn/PDF-Datasheets/3sf.pdf.
[26] City Technology. 5SF CiTiceL Sulphur dioxide (SO2) Gas Sensor. http://www.citytech.com.cn/PDF-Datasheets/5sf.pdf.
[27] DD Scientific. GS+7SO2 Sulphur Dioxide Sensor (SO2). http://www.ddscientific.com/uploads/5/7/1/3/57136893/gs_7so2_datasheet.pdf.
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