U.S. patent application number 16/257354 was filed with the patent office on 2019-05-23 for gas sensor and member using metal oxide semiconductor nanofibers including nanoparticle catalyst functionalized by bifunctional .
The applicant listed for this patent is Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology. Invention is credited to Seon-Jin CHOI, II-Doo KIM, Sang-Joon KIM.
Application Number | 20190154645 16/257354 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55454505 |
Filed Date | 2019-05-23 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190154645 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KIM; II-Doo ; et
al. |
May 23, 2019 |
GAS SENSOR AND MEMBER USING METAL OXIDE SEMICONDUCTOR NANOFIBERS
INCLUDING NANOPARTICLE CATALYST FUNCTIONALIZED BY BIFUNCTIONAL
NANO-CATALYST INCLUDED WITHIN APOFERRITIN, AND MANUFACTURING METHOD
THEREOF
Abstract
The inventive concepts relate to a member for a gas sensor, a
gas sensor using the same and a manufacturing method thereof, and
more particularly, to a member for a gas sensor using a
one-dimensional metal oxide nanofiber complex material containing
hetero nanoparticle catalysts synthesized using apo-ferritins, a
gas sensor using the same, and a manufacturing method thereof.
According to embodiments of the inventive concepts, apo-ferritins
containing hetero nanoparticle catalysts are mixed with an
electrospinning solution, the mixture solution is electrospun to
form complex nanofibers, and then a high-temperature thermal
treatment process is performed to remove the apo-ferritins. Thus,
the hetero nanoparticle catalysts are uniformly fastened to an
inside and a surface of one-dimensional metal oxide nanofibers to
form a member for a gas sensor. As a result, the member for a gas
sensor has a high-sensitivity characteristic capable of sensing a
very small amount of a gas and excellent selectivity capable of
sensing various gases. In addition, a catalyst effect is maximized
by the hetero nanoparticle catalysts uniformly distributed without
aggregation. Furthermore, the member for a gas sensor and the gas
sensor using the same can be mass-produced by a process method
capable of effectively forming pores and of fastening
high-performance catalysts.
Inventors: |
KIM; II-Doo; (Seoul, KR)
; KIM; Sang-Joon; (Daejeon, KR) ; CHOI;
Seon-Jin; (Daejeon, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology |
Daejeon |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
55454505 |
Appl. No.: |
16/257354 |
Filed: |
January 25, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
14855975 |
Sep 16, 2015 |
|
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16257354 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
D01F 9/10 20130101; C04B
35/62231 20130101; G01N 31/10 20130101; B82Y 30/00 20130101; D01D
5/0038 20130101; C04B 35/62227 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G01N 31/10 20060101
G01N031/10; C04B 35/622 20060101 C04B035/622; D01D 5/00 20060101
D01D005/00; D01F 9/10 20060101 D01F009/10; B82Y 30/00 20060101
B82Y030/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 17, 2014 |
KR |
10-2014-0123563 |
Claims
1. A method of manufacturing a sensing material for a gas sensor,
the method comprising: synthesizing hetero nanoparticle catalysts
using apo-ferritins made of protein; mixing the apo-ferritins
including the synthesized hetero nanoparticle catalysts with an
electrospinning solution in which a metal precursor and a polymer
are dissolved, thereby manufacturing a complex spinning solution;
applying an electrospinning process to the complex spinning
solution to manufacture complex nanofibers in which the
apo-ferritins including the hetero nanoparticle catalysts are
fastened in an inside and/or on a surface of metal
precursor/polymer complex nanofibers; and performing a thermal
treatment process to manufacture metal oxide nanofibers complex to
which the hetero nanoparticle catalysts are fastened.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein performing the thermal treatment
process comprises: performing the thermal treatment process to
remove the polymer and the protein of the apo-ferritins and to
oxidize the metal precursor, thereby forming the meal oxide
nanofibers complex which has a one-dimensional structure and
includes fine pores, and wherein the hetero nanoparticle catalysts
are fastened in an inside and on a surface of the metal oxide
nanofibers complex.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein synthesizing the hetero
nanoparticle catalysts using the apo-ferritins made of the protein
comprises: providing two or more different kinds of metal ions into
the apo-ferritin by a substitution process; and performing a
reduction process to form a metal alloy catalyst including two or
more different kinds of metals.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the hetero nanoparticle catalysts
are fastened to the metal oxide nanofibers complex such that a
concentration of the hetero nanoparticle catalysts in the metal
oxide nanofibers complex is in a range of 0.00001% to 50%.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein, in synthesizing the hetero
nanoparticle catalysts using apo-ferritins, a reductant for
reducing metal salts provided in the apo-ferritins includes at
least one of sodium borohydride (NaBH.sub.4), lithium aluminum
hydride (LiAlH.sub.4), nascent (atomic) hydrogen, zinc-mercury
amalgam (Zn(Hg)), oxalic acid (C.sub.2H.sub.2O.sub.4), formic acid
(HCOOH), ascorbic acid (C.sub.6H.sub.8O.sub.6), sodium amalgam,
diborane, or iron(II) sulfate.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein, in mixing the apo-ferritins
including the synthesized hetero nanoparticle catalysts with the
electrospinning solution, the hetero nanoparticle catalysts are
uniformly dispersed in the electrospinning solution, in which the
metal precursor and the polymer are dissolved, without aggregation
between the hetero nanoparticle catalysts by the protein of the
apo-ferritins.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein, in mixing the apo-ferritins
including the synthesized hetero nanoparticle catalysts with the
electrospinning solution, a weight ratio of the polymer: the hetero
nanoparticle catalysts, which are used in synthesis of the
electrospinning solution, is in a range of 1:0.000001 to 1:0.5, and
the apo-ferritins including the hetero nanoparticle catalysts,
which have a concentration ranging from 0.001 wt % to 50 wt %, are
added into the electrospinning solution.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein, in performing the thermal
treatment process, the polymer constituting the complex nanofibers
and the protein of shell portions of the apo-ferritins including
the hetero nanoparticle catalysts are pyrolyzed and removed by the
thermal treatment process, the metal precursor is, oxidized and
crystallized to form a poly-crystalline metal oxide nanofibers,
fine pores are further formed in the metal oxide nanofiber complex
by the removal of the protein, and sizes of nano-grains adjacent to
an outer surface of the metal oxide nanofiber complex are greater
than that of nano-grains disposed in a central portion of the metal
oxide nanofiber complex by inhibition of grain growth caused by the
hetero nanoparticle catalysts.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: pulverizing the metal
oxide nanofiber complex to which the hetero nanoparticle catalysts
are fastened; providing the pulverized metal oxide nanofiber
complex onto an electrode for semiconductor-type gas sensor
measurement which is capable of detecting a harmful environment gas
and a biomarker gas (oxidation gas: NO.sub.2, NO, reduction gas:
H.sub.2, CO, C.sub.2H.sub.5OH, H.sub.2S, CH.sub.4) for diagnosis of
a disease, by a coating method; and manufacturing a plurality of
gas sensor arrays using a plurality of the metal oxide nanofiber
complexes.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This U.S. non-provisional patent application is a divisional
application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/855,975, filed
Sep. 16, 2015, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119 to
Korean Patent Application No. 10-2014-0123563, filed on Sep. 17,
2014, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of
each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The inventive concepts relate to a member for a gas sensor,
a gas sensor using the same, and a manufacturing method thereof.
More particularly, the inventive concepts relate to a nanoparticle
catalyst-metal oxide nanofiber complex obtained by synthesizing an
alloy nanoparticle within an apo-ferritin protein shell and
functionalizing the alloy nanoparticle in the inside and on a
surface of metal oxide semiconductor nanofibers, a member for a gas
sensor using the same, a gas sensor using the same, and a
manufacturing method thereof.
[0003] A metal oxide semiconductor-based gas sensors use a
phenomenon that an electrical resistance value is varied by surface
reaction occurring in a process of adsorbing and desorbing a
specific kind of gas molecules on and from the surface of metal
oxide semiconductor sensing materials.
[0004] The metal oxide semiconductor-based resistance variable gas
sensors use a principle that a concentration of a gas is
quantitatively detected by analyzing a ratio (R.sub.gas/R.sub.air)
of a resistance (R.sub.gas) in the specific gas to a resistance
(R.sub.air) in air, so constituents of a sensor system may be
simplified and a size of the sensor system may be reduced. In
addition, since various kinds of sensor arrays are manufactured at
relatively low costs, the resistance variable gas sensors are
widely used in various fields such as a harmful gas leak alarm, an
air pollution measuring instrument, an alcohol detector, and a fire
alarm.
[0005] Recently, various researches have been conducted for an
exhaled breath sensor that accurately detects a very small amount
of a biomarker in exhaled breath to early diagnosis of a specific
disease in the human body. Specific metabolites are occurred during
metabolism of disease factors in the body. These metabolites may be
used as a biomarker representing the specific disease. Most of
these metabolites may be in a volatile organic compound gas state,
so a very small amount of these materials may be exhausted by the
exhaled breath through the lungs. Acetone (CH.sub.3COCH.sub.3),
toluene (C.sub.6H.sub.5CH.sub.3), ammonia (NH.sub.3), nitrogen
monoxide (NO), and hydrogen sulfide (H.sub.2S) correspond to
representative biomarkers in the exhaled breath and are known as
gases related to diabetes, lung disease, kidney disease, asthma,
and foul breath, respectively.
[0006] As awareness of a health issue becomes higher, there is
requirement of a sensor technique capable of rapidly detecting of a
very low concentration of harmful environmental gases to the human
body or a high-sensitivity, high-selectivity and high-response
sensor technique capable of early monitoring whether the human body
is abnormal or not. Conventional metal oxide semiconductor-based
gas sensors may have a long response time and a long recovery time
of several seconds to several minutes. The response time may be a
time for which the gas sensor responds to the gas, and the recovery
time may be a time for which the gas sensor returns to the original
condition. In addition, a performance of the conventional metal
oxide semiconductor-based gas sensors may be rapidly varied
according to humidity, pressure, temperature and atmosphere of the
circumference. Furthermore, the conventional metal oxide
semiconductor-based gas sensors may have poor selectivity with
respect to a specific gas and may not have a limit of detection
which is capable of measuring a gas having a very low concentration
of several ppb (part per billion) to hundreds ppb. Thus, a sensing
material for a super-sensitivity gas sensor should be developed to
accurately detect a very small amount of gases included the exhaled
breath of the human body using the metal oxide semiconductor-based
gas sensors.
[0007] To manufacture a super-sensitivity metal oxide
semiconductor-based gas sensor, various researches are conducted
for synthesis of various nanostructure-based sensing materials
including nanoparticles, nanowires and nanotubes and sensors using
the same. Since these nanostructures have large surface areas
responding to gases, gas sensing characteristics of the
nanostructures may be increased. In addition, since the
nanostructures have porous structures, the gases may be rapidly
diffused into the sensing material to allow the gas sensor to
respond to the gases at a very high speed.
[0008] In addition to the researches which synthesize the
nanostructures to increase a specific surface and a porosity of the
sensing materials, researches are also conducted for a method of
developing a super-sensitivity sensing material by fastening metal
or metal oxide catalyst particles to a sensing member in order to
detect a very small amount (e.g., tens ppb) of a gas. In the case
that the catalyst is used, selectivity and a sensing characteristic
of the gas sensor may be improved by a chemical sensitization
method increasing a concentration of adsorption ions (e.g.,
O.sup.-, O.sup.2- and O.sub.2.sup.-) using a metal catalyst (e.g.,
platinum (Pt) or gold (Au)), or an electronic sensitization method
improving sensitivity based on an oxidation number variation of
palladium (Pd) or silver (Ag) (e.g., an oxidation number variation
generated during formation of PdO or Ag.sub.2O).
[0009] However, even though researches are continuously conducted
for the super-sensitivity sensing materials using the nanostructure
having the large specific surface and many pores and several kinds
of nanoparticle catalyst, the gas sensor may not have a
characteristic capable of accurately detecting the gas having a low
concentration of hundreds ppb or less with a high response speed
and a high recovery speed.
[0010] In method of synthesizing the sensing materials, a process
of manufacturing the nanostructure and a process of forming the
pores may be complicated and difficult. When the nanostructure is
synthesized using a deposition method or a chemical growth method,
the nanostructure may be formed through complex processes to cause
high manufacture costs and difficulties of mass production.
[0011] In addition, it may be difficult to manufacture the metal or
metal oxide catalyst having a size of several nanometers and to
uniformly distribute the catalyst on an entire area of the sensing
material. For example, if the metal catalyst is synthesized using a
polyol process, catalyst particles may have relatively large sizes
(e.g., 3 nm to 10 nm) and may easily aggregate to each other. Thus,
it may be difficult to uniformly distribute the catalyst particles
on the surface of the metal oxide semiconductor sensing
materials.
[0012] New materials and processes should be developed to overcome
the problems described above. For example, it may be required to
develop a simple process capable of manufacturing the
nanostructure. In addition, it may be required to develop
functional nano catalysts capable of being uniformly distributed
without aggregation during a high-temperature thermal treatment
process necessary to synthesize the sensing materials. Moreover, it
may be required to develop a process of uniformly fastening the
functional nano catalysts to the sensing materials having the
nanostructure. Furthermore, it may be required to develop a method
of easily synthesizing, in bulk, a new super-sensitivity sensing
material that overcomes limitations of conventional noble
metal-based catalysts to maximize catalyst activation. It may also
be required to apply the new super-sensitivity sensing material to
a sensor that accurately and selectively detects a harmful
environmental gas and various kinds of volatile organic compounds
included in the exhaled breath. In particular, it is required to
develop a new catalyst synthesis process method of easily
manufacturing a nano alloy catalyst having a new composition beyond
a conventional catalyst characteristic and of applying the nano
alloy catalyst to a metal oxide nano structure to easily change
sensitization degree of relative sensitivity according to whether
the catalyst is included or not.
SUMMARY
[0013] Embodiments of the inventive concepts may provide a method
of providing hetero-catalyst metal particles into an apo-ferritin
corresponding to ferritin protein not combined with iron and of
fastening the apo-ferritin including the hetero-catalyst metal
particles to the inside of a metal oxide semiconductor nanofiber.
In particular, embodiments of the inventive concepts may provide a
technique of synthesizing a super-sensitivity nanofiber sensing
materials including the hetero-catalyst metal particles which are
uniformly distributed in the inside and on a surface of the metal
oxide semiconductor nanofiber without aggregation thereof after a
high-temperature thermal treatment and of which each shows a
chemical sensitization effect and an electronic sensitization
effect at the same time to have a better catalyst effect than a
mono-catalyst, and a gas sensor application technique using the
same.
[0014] These techniques may be provided to solve conventional
problems and may prevent aggregation between catalyst particles
having sizes of 8 nm or less to maximize activation of the
catalyst. Thus, embodiments of the inventive concepts may also
provide a member for a gas sensor which can be manufactured in bulk
through simple manufacturing processes and a high-sensitivity
characteristic detecting a very small amount of gas, a gas sensor
using the same, and a manufacturing method thereof.
[0015] In one aspect of the inventive concepts, hetero nanoparticle
catalysts having both chemical and electronic sensitization effects
of a catalyst or excellent catalyst characteristics unexpected in a
mono catalyst, and the manufactured hetero nanoparticle catalysts
are uniformly fastened to an inside and a surface of
one-dimensional metal oxide semiconductor nanofibers to provide a
sensing material in which the hetero nanoparticle catalysts are
uniformly distributed without aggregation, and a member for a gas
sensor using the same. A method of manufacturing the sensing
materials or the member for a gas sensor according to the inventive
concepts may include: (a) synthesizing hetero nanoparticle
catalysts using apo-ferritins; (b) manufacturing an electrospinning
solution in which the apo-ferritins including the hetero
nanoparticle catalysts, a metal oxide precursor and a polymer are
dissolved; (c) manufacturing a metal oxide precursor/polymer/hetero
nanoparticle catalyst complex fiber, in which the hetero
nanoparticle catalysts are contained in a surface and/or the inside
of a metal oxide precursor/polymer complex nanofibers, by means of
an electrospinning method; (d) performing a thermal treatment
process to remove the polymer and protein constituting the
apo-ferritins and to oxidize the metal oxide precursor, thereby
forming one-dimensional metal oxide semiconductor nanofibers to
which the hetero nanoparticle catalysts are fastened; (e)
pulverizing the metal oxide semiconductor nanofibers having the
fastened hetero nanoparticle catalysts to coat an electrode for gas
sensor measurement with the pulverized metal oxide semiconductor
nanofibers; (f) manufacturing a plurality of gas sensor arrays
using a plurality of the metal oxide semiconductor nanofibers to
which the hetero nanoparticle catalysts are fastened.
[0016] Here, in step (a), the apo-ferritin may have a sphere
protein shape of which the inside is empty, and various metal ions
may be provided in the inside of the apo-ferritin by a substitution
method. The substituted metal ions may be reduced to form a metal
particle catalyst. In particular, the apo-ferritin may be colorless
protein existing in mucosa cells of the small intestine and may
have a diameter of 12 nm. The apo-ferritin may have a hollow shape
with an inner cavity diameter of 8 nm. One, two or more kinds of
metal ions may be provided in the apo-ferritin by a substitution
process, so a mono or hetero metal catalyst may be included in the
apo-ferritin. Sizes of nano catalysts may be adjusted in a range of
0.1 nm to 8 nm by adjusting a concentration of an apo-ferritin
water solution and a concentration of the nano catalysts
synthesized within the apo-ferritins, and the apo-ferritins
containing hetero nanoparticle catalysts may be dispersed in a
solvent to have a concentration of 0.000001% to 50% with respect to
the solvent or a concentration of 0.00001% to 50% with respect to a
metal oxide.
[0017] In addition, in step (a), a kind or a shape of a metal salt
to be provided into the apo-ferritin may be various. A
representative salt-shaped catalyst may include platinum(IV)
chloride, platinum(II) acetate, gold(I, III) chloride, gold(III)
acetate, silver chloride, silver acetate, Iron(III) chloride,
Iron(III) acetate, yttrium(III) nitrate hexahydrate, nickel(II)
chloride, nickel(II) acetate, ruthenium(III) chloride, ruthenium
acetate, iridium(III) chloride, iridium acetate, tantalum(V)
chloride, or palladium(II) chloride. However, if the salt includes
a specific metal ion, the kind of the salt is not limited to a
specific kind. When a mono metal salt is used, a mono metal
particle may be formed in the hollow region of the apo-ferritin. In
an embodiment, a nanoparticle may be synthesized within the
apo-ferritin by using two metal salts. In this case, if the
apo-ferritin includes metals of which each has strong bonding
strength between the same kinds of metal atoms, phase segregation
may occur to form a hetero metal catalyst having segregated phases
in the apo-ferritin. Alternatively, if metals easily bonded to a
different kind of a metal are used in the apo-ferritin, the hetero
nanoparticle catalyst of a metal alloy form may be synthesized in
the hollow region of the apo-ferritin. In particular, in the hetero
nanoparticle catalyst having the phases segregated from each other
by the strong bonding strength between the same kinds of metal
atoms, a metal-metal nanoparticle catalyst may be formed when
metals not oxidized during a thermal treatment process for
synthesizing the sensing material using nanoparticles are used, or
a metal-metal oxide nanoparticle catalyst may be formed when a
metal not oxidized and a metal oxidized during the thermal
treatment process are used. Alternatively, if all of the two metals
are oxidized after the thermal treatment process, a metal
oxide-metal oxide nanoparticle catalyst may be formed.
[0018] When the hetero nanoparticle catalyst has a single crystal
structure by great bonding strength between different kinds of
metals and different kinds of atoms of the hetero nanoparticle
catalyst are easily substituted for each other, the hetero
nanoparticle catalyst may have an intermetallic compound particle
shape of which components have a simple constant ratio or may have
a solid solution or nanoalloy shape of which component have a
non-constant ratio.
[0019] Since the apo-ferritin including the hetero nanoparticle
catalyst synthesized by performing a reduction process to different
kinds of the metal salts included in the hollow region has a shell
made of protein, the apo-ferritins may be easily dispersed in the
water solution.
[0020] Furthermore, in step (a), the protein of the shell of the
apo-ferritin may be completely removed during a high-temperature
thermal treatment process. In particular, when the metal oxide
semiconductor nanofiber is synthesized using an electrospinning
method, the high-temperature thermal treatment process should be
performed. At this time, the shells, made of protein, of the
apo-ferritins may be completely removed. In addition, fine pores
corresponding to thicknesses of the shells of the apo-ferritins may
be formed when the protein shells of the apo-ferritins are removed.
Thus, a plurality of the fine pores may be contained in the metal
oxide semiconductor nanofibers including the hetero nanoparticle
catalysts.
[0021] In step (b) for manufacturing the spinning solution for the
electrospinning process, the complex spinning solution in which the
metal oxide precursor (metal salt) and the polymer are dissolved
may be manufactured. At this time, kinds of the metal oxide
precursor and the polymer may be changed to form another complex
spinning solution. In particular, the apo-ferritins including
hetero metal particles synthesized in step (a) may be added to
manufacture the electrospinning solution. A concentration of the
apo-ferritins including the hetero nanoparticle catalysts added to
the metal oxide precursor/polymer complex electrospinning solution
may range from 0.001 wt % to 50 wt %.
[0022] In step (c), polymer nanofibers containing at least one of
various kinds of metal oxide precursors may be formed using the
electrospinning method, and the apo-ferritins may be uniformly
distributed within the inside and on an outer wall of the polymer
nanofibers due to an excellent dispersion characteristic of the
apo-ferritins. The apo-ferritins including the hetero nanoparticle
catalysts may be mainly distributed in the inside of the metal
oxide precursor/polymer complex nanofibers, some of the
apo-ferritins may be exposed on the outer wall of the complex
nanofibers.
[0023] In addition, in step (c), during the electrospinning
process, the complex nanofibers may be discharged through a
plurality of nozzles of a nozzle electrospinning unit or may be
discharged using a wire-type or a cylinder-type electrospinning
unit. As a result, the metal oxide precursor/polymer complex
nanofibers including the apo-ferritins including the hetero
nanoparticle catalysts may be manufactured.
[0024] In step (d), the high-temperature thermal treatment process
may be performed on the metal oxide precursor/polymer complex
nanofibers having a one-dimensional structure, so the polymer may
be decomposed and removed and the metal oxide precursor may be
oxidized to form the metal oxide nanofibers having a
one-dimensional structure.
[0025] In addition, in step (d), the high-temperature thermal
treatment process may be performed on the metal oxide
precursor/polymer complex nanofibers including the apo-ferritins
including the hetero nanoparticle catalysts at a temperature of 400
degrees Celsius to 800 degrees Celsius. During the high-temperature
thermal treatment process, the polymer constituting the complex
nanofibers may be decomposed and removed, the metal oxide precursor
may be oxidized to form the metal oxide semiconductor nanofibers,
and the protein shells of the apo-ferritins may be completely
removed. In step (d), by the above processes, it is possible to
obtain the metal oxide semiconductor nanofibers having the inside
and the partial outer wall to which the hetero nanoparticle
catalysts included in the apo-ferritins are uniformly fastened
without aggregation.
[0026] Furthermore, in step (d), the hetero nanoparticle catalysts
uniformly fastened to the inside of the metal oxide nanofibers may
have at least one of a metal-metal catalyst nanoparticle, a
metal-metal oxide catalyst nanoparticle, or a metal oxide-metal
oxide catalyst nanoparticle. The hetero nanoparticle catalyst
formed in the hollow region of the initial apo-ferritin may have a
segregation shape where phases are segregated from each other by
the strong bonding strength between the same kinds of metal atoms,
or a metal alloy shape where different kinds of metal atoms are
easily combined with each other by the strong bonding strength
between the different kinds of metal atoms.
[0027] In the hetero nanoparticle catalyst of which the phases are
segregated from each other by the strong bonding strength between
the same kinds of metal atoms, most of metals except some noble
metals may be oxidized to be converted into metal oxides after the
thermal treatment process is performed in air. If one selected from
a group consisting of Rh, Ni, Co, Cu, Fe, Ti, Zn, Sn, V, Cr, Mo or
W is one component of an alloy, a metal oxide (e.g.,
Rh.sub.2O.sub.3, NiO, Co.sub.3O.sub.4, CuO, Fe.sub.2O.sub.3,
Fe.sub.3O.sub.4, TiO.sub.2, ZnO, SnO.sub.2, V.sub.2O.sub.5,
V.sub.2O.sub.3, Cr.sub.2O.sub.3, MoO.sub.3 or WO.sub.3) may be
formed after the high-temperature thermal treatment process. Since
the metal oxide has a semiconductor characteristic such as an
N-type characteristic or a P-type characteristic, it may allow the
sensing material to have a catalyst characteristic.
[0028] In detail, when each of the components of the hetero
nanoparticle catalyst included in the apo-ferritin is selected from
a M' group (Pt and Au) and a M'' group (Ag, Pd, Ru, Ir, Y, In, Rh,
Ni, Co, Cu, Fe, Ti, Zn, Sn, V, Cr, Mo, and W), the M' (Pt and Au)
group may be maintained in a metal form after the thermal treatment
process. In this case, the hetero nanoparticle catalyst may be
expressed by 1M'.sub.x-2M'.sub.1-x, where "X" is in a range of 0.01
atomic percent (at %) to 99.99 at %. Here, each of "1M'" and "2M'"
means one metal catalyst selected from the group consisting of Pt
and Au. As described above, the M'' group (Ag, Pd, Ru, Ir, Y, In,
Rh, Ni, Co, Cu, Fe, Ti, Zn, Sn, V, Cr, Mo, and W) may be the metals
which are changed into the conductive metal oxide or the metal
oxide having the semiconductor characteristic after the thermal
treatment process. Thus, when each of the components of the hetero
nanoparticle catalyst included in the apo-ferritin is selected from
the M'' group (Ag, Pd, Ru, Ir, Y, In, Rh, Ni, Co, Cu, Fe, Ti, Zn,
Sn, V, Cr, Mo, and W), the hetero nanoparticle catalyst after the
thermal treatment process may include a M''O component
corresponding to an oxide of the M'' metal. Here, "M''O" is defined
as an oxide formed by the oxidation during the thermal treatment
process. The M''O is a metal oxide expressed by a chemical formula
M''.sub.YO.sub.Z where "Y" is an integer equal to or greater than 1
and equal to or less than 3, and "Z" is an integer equal to or
greater than 1 and equal to or less than 5. In an embodiment, the
hetero nanoparticle catalyst after the thermal treatment process
may include at least two selected from a group consisting of N-type
metal oxides (e.g., TiO.sub.2, ZnO, WO.sub.3, SnO.sub.2, IrO.sub.2,
In.sub.2O.sub.3, V.sub.2O.sub.3, and MoO.sub.3) and P-type metal
oxides (e.g., Ag.sub.2O, PdO, RuO.sub.2, Rh.sub.2O.sub.3, NiO,
Co.sub.3O.sub.4, CuO, Fe.sub.2O.sub.3, Fe.sub.3O.sub.4,
V.sub.2O.sub.5, and Cr.sub.2O.sub.3). When two metals oxidized
after the thermal treatment process are used, the hetero
nanoparticle catalyst may be formed of a metal oxide expressed by a
chemical formula 1M''.sub.YO.sub.Z-2M''.sub.YO.sub.Z. At this time,
"Y" is an integer equal to or greater than 1 and equal to or less
than 3 and "Z" is an integer equal to or greater than 1 and equal
to or less than 5. In an embodiment, "1M''.sub.YO.sub.Z" and
"2M''.sub.YO.sub.Z" may be one of the N-type metal oxides and one
of the P-type metal oxides, respectively. In another embodiment,
all of "1M''.sub.YO.sub.Z" and "2M''.sub.YO.sub.Z" may be the
N-type metal oxides. In still another embodiment, all of
"1M''.sub.YO.sub.Z" and "2M''.sub.YO.sub.Z" may be the P-type metal
oxides. In other words, "1M''.sub.YO.sub.Z" and "2M''.sub.YO.sub.Z"
may have any combination of the N-type metal oxides and the P-type
metal oxides.
[0029] When the hetero nanoparticle included in the hollow region
of the apo-ferritin consists of one metal selected from the M'
group and one metal selected from the M'' group, the one metal
selected from the M'' group may be changed into the M''O form
during the thermal treatment process, thereby forming the
metal-metal oxide complex nanoparticle catalyst expressed by a
chemical formula 1M''.sub.x-2M''.sub.YO.sub.Z, where "X" is in a
range of 0.01 at % to 99.99 at %, "Y" is an integer equal to or
greater than 1 and equal to or less than 3, and "Z" is an integer
equal to or greater than 1 and equal to or less than 5. Here, 1M''
is one selected from the metals listed above, and 2M''O is one
selected from the metal oxides listed above. At this time, the
metal oxide expressed by 2M''.sub.YO.sub.Z may include one selected
from a group consisting of the N-type metal oxides and the P-type
metal oxides.
[0030] If the hetero nanoparticle catalyst is formed in the metal
alloy form having the strong bonding strength between the different
kinds of the metal atoms, the metal component M and the metal
component M' constituting the hetero nanoparticle catalyst may be
formed into an intermetallic compound having a simple constant
ratio of M.sub.xM'.sub.Y. Here, the metal component M and the metal
component M' mean metals different from each other, and each of "X"
and "Y" may be an integer ranging from 1 to 99. Alternatively, the
hetero nanoparticle catalyst may be formed in a nanoalloy form
expressed by M.sub.xM'.sub.1-x having a non-constant ratio. Here,
"X" may be in a range of 0.01 to 0.99.
[0031] In another aspect, a method of manufacturing a gas sensor
using a metal oxide semiconductor nanofiber sensing materials which
include hetero nanoparticle catalysts and has a one-dimensional
structure may include (e) pulverizing the metal oxide semiconductor
nanofibers having the fastened hetero nanoparticle catalysts to
coat an electrode for gas sensor measurement with the pulverized
metal oxide semiconductor nanofibers; (f) manufacturing a plurality
of gas sensor arrays using a plurality of the metal oxide
semiconductor nanofibers to which the hetero nanoparticle catalysts
are fastened.
[0032] Here, in step (e) of coating the one-dimensional structural
porous nanofibers on the sensor substrate, the metal oxide
semiconductor nanofibers including the hetero nanoparticle
catalysts may be pulverized by a ball-milling process or an
ultrasonic pulverization process, so a long fiber may be converted
into short fibers. The short fibers may be coated on the sensor
substrate having sensing electrodes for analyzing an electrical
resistance by a spray coating method, a drop coating method, a
screen printing method, an electrohydrodynamic coating method, an
inkjet printing method, a direct coating method using an
electrospinning method, or a transfer coating method. However, the
inventive concepts are not limited thereto. The coating method may
be one of other coating methods capable of coating the sensing
material based on the metal oxide nanofibers including the hetero
nanoparticle catalysts on the sensor substrate.
[0033] In still another aspect, formation of the metal oxide
nanofibers having the one-dimensional structure may be performed by
a process of mixing various kinds of metal oxide precursors and
various kinds of polymers and a high-temperature thermal treatment
process. For example, the metal oxide nanofibers may include at
least one of ZnO, SnO.sub.2, WO.sub.3, Fe.sub.2O.sub.3,
Fe.sub.3O.sub.4, NiO, TiO.sub.2, CuO, In.sub.2O.sub.3,
Zn.sub.2SnO.sub.4, Co.sub.3O.sub.4, LaCoO.sub.3, NiCo.sub.2O.sub.4,
Ca.sub.2Mn.sub.3O.sub.8, ZrO.sub.2, V.sub.2O.sub.5,
Cr.sub.3O.sub.4, CeO.sub.2, Pr.sub.6O.sub.11, Nd.sub.2O.sub.3,
Sm.sub.2O.sub.3, Eu.sub.2O.sub.3, Gd.sub.2O.sub.3, Tb.sub.4O.sub.7,
Dy.sub.2O.sub.3, Ho.sub.2O.sub.3, Er.sub.2O.sub.3, Yb.sub.2O.sub.3,
Lu.sub.2O.sub.3, Ag.sub.2V.sub.4O.sub.11,
Li.sub.0.3La.sub.0.57TiO.sub.3, LiV.sub.3O.sub.8, InTaO.sub.4,
InTaO.sub.4, Ga.sub.2O.sub.3, LiNiO.sub.2,
CaCu.sub.3Ti.sub.4O.sub.12, Ag.sub.3PO.sub.4, BaTiO.sub.3,
NiTiO.sub.3, SrTiO.sub.3, Sr.sub.2Nb.sub.2O.sub.7,
Sr.sub.2Ta.sub.2O.sub.7, or
Ba.sub.0.5Sr.sub.0.5Co.sub.0.8Fe.sub.0.2O.sub.3-7.
[0034] In an embodiment, the metal oxide nanofibers having the
one-dimensional structure may have a diameter ranging from 50 nm to
10 .mu.m and a length ranging from 1 .mu.m to 500 .mu.m.
[0035] In an embodiment, the nanofibers may have a dense
poly-crystalline nanofiber shape or may have high-porous
poly-crystalline nanofibers having a lot of pores. Alternatively,
the nanofibers may have a short-fiber shape by the pulverization
process.
[0036] In an embodiment, one or more nanofiber(s) may constitute a
nanofiber-network shape. At this time, the pore may be formed
between the nanofibers.
[0037] In yet another aspect, a metal oxide nanofiber sensing
material including the hetero nanoparticle catalysts synthesized
using the apo-ferritins may form a member for a gas sensor
according to the inventive concepts and may measure a concentration
of a specific gas.
[0038] Here, the manufactured sensing material includes the hetero
nanoparticle catalysts very uniformly distributed on the surface
and/or in the inside of the one-dimensional metal oxide nanofibers.
Thus, sensitivity of the sensing material may be maximized by the
uniform dispersion of the hetero nanoparticle catalysts without
aggregation and characteristics of the hetero nanoparticle
catalysts. As a result, the sensing material may have an excellent
gas sensing characteristic.
[0039] Here, the gas sensor based on the metal oxide nanofibers
including the hetero nanoparticle catalysts may sense a specific
volatile organic compound gas released from exhaled breath of the
men to diagnose a disease occurs in the men or not and may sense a
harmful environment gas indoor and outdoor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0040] The inventive concepts will become more apparent in view of
the attached drawings and accompanying detailed description.
[0041] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing metal oxide
semiconductor nanofibers including a hetero nanoparticle catalyst
synthesized using an apo-ferritin in accordance with an embodiment
of the inventive concepts.
[0042] FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing a method of manufacturing a
member for a gas sensor using metal oxide semiconductor nanofibers
including a hetero nanoparticle catalyst synthesized using an
apo-ferritin in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive
concepts.
[0043] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a method of manufacturing metal
oxide semiconductor nanofibers including a hetero nanoparticle
catalyst using an electrospinning method in accordance with an
embodiment of the inventive concepts.
[0044] FIG. 4 show transmission electron microscope (TEM) images of
a hetero nanoparticle catalyst including platinum and palladium
combined with each other (a), a hetero nanoparticle catalyst
including platinum and rhodium combined with each other (b), and a
hetero nanoparticle catalyst including platinum and yttrium
combined with each other (c) which are synthesized using the
apo-ferritin in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive
concepts.
[0045] FIG. 5 is a TEM image showing nanofibers obtained by
electrospinning the apo-ferritin including the platinum/palladium
hetero nanoparticle catalyst in accordance with an embodiment of
the inventive concepts and tungsten precursor/polyvinylpyrrolidone
(PVP) complex spinning solution before a high-temperature thermal
treatment process.
[0046] FIG. 6 is a TEM image showing nanofibers obtained after a
high-temperature thermal treatment process is performed on tungsten
precursor/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) complex nanofibers including
the apo-ferritin including the platinum/palladium hetero
nanoparticle catalyst in accordance with an embodiment of the
inventive concepts.
[0047] FIG. 7 is a TEM image showing nanofibers obtained after a
high-temperature thermal treatment process is performed on tungsten
precursor/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) complex nanofibers including
the apo-ferritin including the platinum/rhodium hetero nanoparticle
catalyst in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive
concepts.
[0048] FIG. 8 is a TEM image showing nanofibers obtained after a
high-temperature thermal treatment process is performed on tungsten
precursor/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) complex nanofibers including
the apo-ferritin including the platinum/yttrium hetero nanoparticle
catalyst in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive
concepts.
[0049] FIG. 9 is a TEM image showing an apo-ferritin including a
platinum nanoparticle catalyst according to a first comparison
example.
[0050] FIG. 10 is a TEM image showing nanofibers obtained after a
high-temperature thermal treatment process is performed on tungsten
precursor/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) complex nanofibers including
the apo-ferritin including the platinum nanoparticle catalyst
according to the first comparison example.
[0051] FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view and a TEM image,
obtained using a focused ion beam (FIB), of a sensing material
obtained after the high-temperature thermal treatment process is
performed on the tungsten precursor/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)
complex nanofiber including the apo-ferritin including the platinum
nanoparticle catalyst according to the first comparison
example.
[0052] FIG. 12 shows energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS)
images of a TEM, obtained using a FIB, of the sensing material
obtained after the high-temperature thermal treatment process is
performed on the tungsten oxide precursor/polyvinylpyrrolidone
(PVP) complex nanofiber including the apo-ferritin including the
platinum nanoparticle catalyst according to the first comparison
example.
[0053] FIG. 13 is a graph showing responses of the nanofiber
sensing material, containing the platinum nanoparticle catalyst
according to the first comparison example, to an acetone gas of 5
ppm, a hydrogen sulfide gas of 5 ppm, a toluene gas of 5 ppm, an
ethanol gas of 5 ppm, a hydrogen gas of 5 ppm, and a carbon
monoxide gas of 5 ppm.
[0054] FIG. 14 is a TEM image showing an apo-ferritin including a
palladium nanoparticle catalyst according to a second comparison
example.
[0055] FIG. 15 is a TEM image showing nanofibers obtained after a
high-temperature thermal treatment process is performed on tungsten
precursor/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) complex nanofibers including
the apo-ferritin including the palladium nanoparticle catalyst
according to the first comparison example.
[0056] FIG. 16 is a graph showing responses of nanofiber sensing
material, containing the palladium nanoparticle catalyst according
to the second comparison example, to an acetone gas of 5 ppm, a
hydrogen sulfide gas of 5 ppm, a toluene gas of 5 ppm, an ethanol
gas of 5 ppm, a hydrogen gas of 5 ppm, and a carbon monoxide gas of
5 ppm.
[0057] FIG. 17 is a graph showing responses of tungsten oxide
nanofibers, which include the hetero platinum/palladium
nanoparticle catalyst according to an embodiment of the inventive
concepts, the mono platinum nanoparticle catalyst according to the
first comparison example and the mono palladium nanoparticle
catalyst according to the second comparison example, respectively,
to an acetone gas (1 ppm to 5 ppm) at 300 degrees Celsius.
[0058] FIG. 18 is a graph showing responses of the tungsten oxide
nanofibers, which include the hetero platinum/palladium
nanoparticle catalyst according to an embodiment of the inventive
concepts, the mono platinum nanoparticle catalyst according to the
first comparison example and the mono palladium nanoparticle
catalyst according to the second comparison example, respectively,
to an ethanol gas (1 ppm to 5 ppm) at 300 degrees Celsius.
[0059] FIG. 19 is a graph showing responses of the tungsten oxide
nanofibers, which include the hetero platinum/palladium
nanoparticle catalyst according to an embodiment of the inventive
concepts, the mono platinum nanoparticle catalyst according to the
first comparison example and the mono palladium nanoparticle
catalyst according to the second comparison example, respectively,
to an hydrogen sulfide gas (1 ppm to 5 ppm) at 300 degrees
Celsius.
[0060] FIG. 20 is a graph showing responses of the tungsten oxide
nanofibers, which include the hetero platinum/palladium
nanoparticle catalyst according to an embodiment of the inventive
concepts, the mono platinum nanoparticle catalyst according to the
first comparison example and the mono palladium nanoparticle
catalyst according to the second comparison example, respectively,
to an toluene gas (1 ppm to 5 ppm) at 300 degrees Celsius.
[0061] FIG. 21 is a graph showing responses of tungsten oxide
nanofibers, which include the hetero platinum/rhodium nanoparticle
catalyst according to an embodiment of the inventive concepts, the
mono platinum nanoparticle catalyst according to the first
comparison example and the mono palladium nanoparticle catalyst
according to the second comparison example, respectively, to an
acetone gas (1 ppm to 5 ppm) at 350 degrees Celsius.
[0062] FIG. 22 is a graph showing responses of tungsten oxide
nanofibers, which include the hetero platinum/yttrium nanoparticle
catalyst according to an embodiment of the inventive concepts, the
mono platinum nanoparticle catalyst according to the first
comparison example and the mono palladium nanoparticle catalyst
according to the second comparison example, respectively, to an
acetone gas (1 ppm to 5 ppm) at 350 degrees Celsius.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0063] The inventive concepts will now be described more fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts are shown. The
advantages and features of the inventive concepts and methods of
achieving them will be apparent from the following exemplary
embodiments that will be described in more detail with reference to
the accompanying drawings. It should be noted, however, that the
inventive concepts are not limited to the following exemplary
embodiments, and may be implemented in various forms. Accordingly,
the exemplary embodiments are provided only to disclose the
inventive concepts and let those skilled in the art know the
category of the inventive concepts. In the drawings, embodiments of
the inventive concepts are not limited to the specific examples
provided herein and are exaggerated for clarity.
[0064] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the
invention. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all
combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used
herein, the singular terms "a," "an" and "the" are intended to
include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly
indicates otherwise. General descriptions to known techniques may
be omitted to clarify the features of the inventive concepts.
[0065] It will be also understood that although the terms first,
second, third etc. may be used herein to describe various elements,
these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms
are only used to distinguish one element from another element.
[0066] Hereinafter, a metal oxide semiconductor nanostructure
including a hetero nanoparticle catalyst synthesized using an
apo-ferritin, a member for a gas sensor using the same, a gas
sensor using the same, and a manufacturing method thereof will be
described in more detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0067] According to embodiments of the inventive concepts, a hetero
nanoparticle catalyst having a size ranging from 0.1 nm to 8 nm may
be synthesized using apo-ferritin protein, and the hetero
nanoparticle catalyst and an electrospinning solution may be
injected to fasten the hetero nanoparticle catalyst to the inside
and a partial surface of a one-dimensional porous metal oxide
semiconductor nanofibers. The nanofibers having the hetero
nanoparticle catalyst may be used as a sensing material for a gas
sensor. In a conventional art, researches increasing a surface area
of a one-dimensional structure and using a catalyst have been
conducted to improve a gas sensing characteristic and selectivity
of a metal oxide semiconductor. For example, researches using the
catalyst have been conducted for a chemical sensitization method
increasing a concentration of adsorption ions using a metal
catalyst (e.g., platinum or gold) or an electronic sensitization
method improving sensitivity based on an oxidation number variation
of palladium or silver. However, by a conventional method of
fastening the metal or metal oxide catalyst, the nano catalyst may
not be manufactured to have a size of several nanometers and may
not be uniformly distributed on an entire area of a sensing
material. In addition, it is impossible to obtain the chemical
sensitization effect and the electronic sensitization effect at the
same time through the conventional fastening method.
[0068] To overcome these disadvantages, according to embodiments of
the inventive concepts, the hetero nanoparticle catalyst may be
synthesized using the apo-ferritin, the synthesized hetero
nanoparticle catalyst may mixed with an electrospinning solution
including a metal precursor and a polymer, and the mixture may go
through an electrospinning process and thermal treatment process to
manufacture a porous metal oxide semiconductor in which the hetero
nanoparticle is uniformly included. The apo-ferritin may be formed
of protein and may have a spherical shape of which the inside is
empty or hollow. Various ions may be provided into the empty space
of the apo-ferritin. In addition, hetero metallic salt ions may be
provided into the empty space of the apo-ferritin by a replacement
method, the replaced hetero metallic salt ions may be treated by a
reduction treatment process to form a structure or metal alloy in
which metals of the hetero nanoparticle catalyst are combined with
each other.
[0069] A size of the hetero nanoparticle catalyst synthesized using
the apo-ferritin may range from 0.1 nm to 8 nm, and the hetero
nanoparticle catalyst included in the inside of the apo-ferritin
may have a form in which two different kinds of metals are combined
with each other in a state where they are segregated from each
other, or an alloy form in which two different kinds of metal atoms
are replaced with each other so as to be strongly combined with
each other. In the case that the two different kinds of the metals
constitute the nanoparticle of the hetero nanoparticle catalyst in
the state where they are segregated from each other by the
interface, a portion of the metals may be oxidized to form a metal
oxide catalyst. Thus, a metal-metal complex catalyst, a metal-metal
oxide complex catalyst, or a metal oxide-metal oxide complex
catalyst may be realized, so the electronic sensitization and the
chemical sensitization of the catalyst may be obtained
together.
[0070] In addition, in the case that the hetero nanoparticle
catalyst has the alloy form in which the two different kinds of the
metals are strongly combined with each other by the replacement, it
may have a nanoparticle shape formed of an intermetallic compound
or a solid solution. In this case, the hetero nanoparticle catalyst
may show properties of a completely new synthesis material, not
properties of a mono catalyst, and sensitivity of the hetero
nanoparticle catalyst as the new catalyst may be better than that
of a conventional catalyst.
[0071] Since nanoparticles of the synthesized hetero nanoparticle
catalyst are encapsulated by the protein constituting the
apo-ferritin, they are not aggregated when dispersed in the
electrospinning solution but are uniformly distributed, thereby
maximizing the effect of the catalyst in the sensing material.
Since the hetero nanoparticle catalyst manufactured using the
apo-ferritin is uniformly fastened on the metal oxide semiconductor
nanofibers, it is possible to realize a member for a gas sensor
which has a high-sensitivity characteristic capable of detecting a
very small amount of a gas and excellent selectivity capable of
selectively detecting various gases and is mass-produced by an
effective process, a gas sensor using the same, and a manufacturing
method thereof.
[0072] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a member for a gas
sensor which uses a metal oxide semiconductor nanofibers including
a hetero nanoparticle catalyst according to an embodiment of the
inventive concepts. FIG. 1 shows a member 100 for a gas sensor
which is formed using a metal oxide semiconductor nanofiber 110
having a one-dimensional shape. However, the inventive concepts are
not limited thereto. In other embodiments, a member for a gas
sensor which have another shape may be formed using a nanostructure
having a nanotube or nanorod synthesized using an electrospinning
technique.
[0073] Since hetero nanoparticle catalyst 120 synthesized using the
apo-ferritin is uniformly dispersed in an electrospinning solution,
the hetero nanoparticle catalyst 120 and the electrospinning
solution mixed with a metal oxide precursor and a polymer may be
electrospun to manufacture metal oxide precursor-polymer complex
nanofibers in which the hetero nanoparticle catalyst 120 is
embedded. A thermal treatment process may be performed on the
manufactured metal oxide precursor-polymer complex nanofibers at
high temperature to obtain the metal oxide semiconductor nanofibers
110 including the hetero nanoparticle catalyst 120 uniformly
distributed in the inside and on the surface of the metal oxide
semiconductor nanofibers 110.
[0074] A ferritin is sphere-shaped protein enzyme consisting of 24
polypeptides. The protein enzyme is enzyme adjusting an iron (Fe)
content in the body and contains about 4500 iron minerals in
protein. The ferritin from which the iron is electrically or
chemically removed may be called `the apo-ferritin`. A metal (e.g.,
Au, Pt, Pd, Ru, Y, Cu, Ag, Co, and/or Ni may be provided into the
inside of the apo-ferritin by a chemical method. The nano metal
manufactured using the apo-ferritin as described above may have a
very small size ranging from 0.1 nm to 8 nm. In addition, since the
hetero nanoparticle catalyst 120 is encapsulated by the
apo-ferritin protein before the thermal treatment process described
above, the apo-ferritins including the nano catalyst particles may
be uniformly dispersed in the electrospinning solution without
aggregation therebetween. The nano catalyst particle to be applied
to the sensing material may be a noble metal (e.g., Pt or Au)-based
catalyst particle that accelerates a decomposition reaction of an
oxygen molecule to increase a concentration of adsorption ions
participating a surface reaction or may be a catalyst particle that
has a catalyst reaction by an oxidation process of Ag--Ag.sub.2O or
Pd--PdO affecting improvement of the sensitivity characteristic. In
addition, when the hetero nanoparticle catalyst 120 containing the
noble metal catalyst and the oxide catalyst segregated from each
other is synthesized using the apo-ferritin and is then added into
the metal oxide nanofibers, the chemical sensitization effect and
the electrical sensitization effect may be obtained at the same
time. Furthermore, during the thermal treatment process, a metal
(e.g., Ru, Ir, Ag, In, Rh, Ni, Co, Cu, Fe, Ti, Zn, Sn, V, Cr, Mo,
and/or W) may be converted into a metal oxide to obtain
characteristics of a metal oxide catalyst including RuO.sub.2,
IrO.sub.2, Ag.sub.2O, In.sub.2O.sub.3, Rh.sub.2O.sub.3, NiO,
Co.sub.3O.sub.4, CuO, Fe.sub.2O.sub.3, Fe.sub.3O.sub.4, TiO.sub.2,
ZnO, SnO.sub.2, V.sub.2O.sub.5, V.sub.2O.sub.3, Cr.sub.2O.sub.3,
MoO.sub.3, and/or WO.sub.3.
[0075] In addition, the hetero nano alloy catalyst particle (e.g.,
PtAu, PtPd, RhPd, PdRu, PtCu, PtY, PtAg, PtCo, or PtFe) of which
metals are strongly combined with each other and are not segregated
from each other to constitute the alloy form may correspond to a
new catalyst having a new composition which is not reported and may
have a higher sensitivity than a conventional mono catalyst so as
to be used in a high-performance sensor.
[0076] When the apo-ferritins including the fine hetero
nanoparticle catalysts 120 are fastened to the metal oxide
semiconductor nanofibers 110, it is possible to obtain an effect of
doping the inside of the apo-ferritin with the hetero nanoparticle
catalyst 120. In addition, the apo-ferritins may be easily
dispersed unlike catalyst particles synthesized using a general
polyol process, so the nano catalyst particles may be easily added
into the metal oxide semiconductor nanofibers 110 without
aggregation. Furthermore, the metal oxide semiconductor nanofibers
110 may go through a Sol-Gel reaction during the thermal treatment
process to have a poly-crystalline metal oxide nanofiber shape
through nucleation and grain growth.
[0077] The metal ions included in the empty central space of the
apo-ferritin may include at least one or two of Pt, Au, Ag, Fe, Ni,
Ti, Y, Sn, Si, Al, Cu, Mg, Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Zn, Sr, W, Ru, Rh,
Ir, Ta, Sb, In, Pb, or Pd. The metal ions included in the
apo-ferritins may be formed into the hetero nanoparticle catalyst
120 of the segregation form and the hetero nanoparticle catalyst
121 of the alloy form. These nanoparticle catalysts may be finally
formed into one nanoparticle catalyst 120 selected from a group
consisting of a metal-metal complex catalyst in the segregation
form, a metal-metal oxide complex catalyst in the segregation form,
and a metal oxide-metal oxide complex catalyst in the segregation
form. For example, the metal-metal oxide nanoparticle catalyst may
include Pt/IrO.sub.2, Pt/RuO.sub.2, Pt/Rh.sub.2O.sub.3,
Pt/Co.sub.3O.sub.4, Pt/CuO, Pt/Ag.sub.2O, Pt/Fe.sub.2O.sub.3,
Au/IrO.sub.2, Au/RuO.sub.2, Au/Rh.sub.2O.sub.3, Au/NiO,
Au/Co.sub.3O.sub.4, Au/CuO, or Au/Ag.sub.2O. For example, the
metal-metal nanoparticle catalyst may include Pt/Au. For example,
the metal oxide-metal oxide nanoparticle catalyst may be a metal
oxide catalyst that consists of two selected from a group
consisting of N-type metal oxides (e.g., TiO.sub.2, ZnO, WO.sub.3,
SnO.sub.2, IrO.sub.2, In.sub.2O.sub.3, V.sub.2O.sub.3, and
MoO.sub.3) and P-type metal oxides (e.g., Ag.sub.2O, PdO,
RuO.sub.2, Rh.sub.2O.sub.3, NiO, Co.sub.3O.sub.4, CuO,
Fe.sub.2O.sub.3, Fe.sub.3O.sub.4, V.sub.2O.sub.5, and
Cr.sub.2O.sub.3). At this time, the nanoparticle catalyst 120 may
have a size ranging from 0.1 nm to 8 nm. In hetero nanoparticle
catalyst combinations of the metal-metal (1M'.sub.x-2M'.sub.1-x),
the metal-metal oxide (1M'.sub.x-2M''.sub.YO.sub.Z), and the metal
oxide-metal oxide (1M''.sub.YO.sub.Z-2M''.sub.YO.sub.Z), "X" is in
a range of 0.01 to 99.99, "Y" is an integer equal to or greater
than 1 and equal to or less than 3, and "Z" is an integer equal to
or greater than 1 and equal to or less than 5. Here, the
combination of the metal oxide-metal oxide may include a
combination of an N-type metal oxide and an N-type metal oxide, a
combination of an N-type metal oxide and a P-type metal oxide,
and/or a combination of a P-type metal oxide and a P-type metal
oxide. The metal and the metal oxide are classified based on the
final catalyst obtained after the thermal treatment process and may
include any combination of the materials described above.
[0078] In the case that the different kinds of materials are easily
combined with each other to form the hetero nanoparticle catalyst
121 of the metal alloy form having strong bonding strength, metal
components M and M' constituting the catalyst 121 may have a form
of an intermetallic compound having a simple constant ratio of
M.sub.XM'.sub.Y. Here, "M" and "M'" denote metal components
different from each other, and each of "X" and "Y" is an integer
ranging from 1 to 99. Alternatively, in the hetero nanoparticle
catalyst 121, the components may form a nanoalloy of
M.sub.XM'.sub.1-x which does not have a constant ratio. Here, "X"
is in a range of 0.01 to 0.99.
[0079] The metal oxide semiconductor nanofibers corresponding to
the nanostructure may include a material of which electrical
conductivity or an electrical resistance characteristic is
changeable by adsorption and desorption of a gas. In particular,
the metal oxide semiconductor nanofibers may include at least one
of ZnO, SnO.sub.2, WO.sub.3, Fe.sub.2O.sub.3, Fe.sub.3O.sub.4, NiO,
TiO.sub.2, CuO, In.sub.2O.sub.3, Zn.sub.2SnO.sub.4,
Co.sub.3O.sub.4, PdO, LaCoO.sub.3, NiCo.sub.2O.sub.4,
Ca.sub.2Mn.sub.3O.sub.8, V.sub.2O.sub.5, Cr.sub.2O.sub.3,
Nd.sub.2O.sub.3, Sm.sub.2O.sub.3, Eu.sub.2O.sub.3, Gd.sub.2O.sub.3,
Tb.sub.4O.sub.7, Dy.sub.2O.sub.3, Ho.sub.2O.sub.3, Er.sub.2O.sub.3,
Yb.sub.2O.sub.3, Lu.sub.2O.sub.3, Ag.sub.2V.sub.4O.sub.11,
Ag.sub.2O, Li.sub.0.3La.sub.0.57TiO.sub.3, LiV.sub.3O.sub.8,
InTAO.sub.4, CaCu.sub.3Ti.sub.4O.sub.12, Ag.sub.3PO.sub.4,
BaTiO.sub.3, NiTiO.sub.3, SrTiO.sub.3, Sr.sub.2Nb.sub.2O.sub.7,
Sr.sub.2Ta.sub.2O.sub.7, or
Ba.sub.0.5Sr.sub.0.5Co.sub.0.8Fe.sub.0.2O.sub.3-7.
[0080] A super-sensitivity sensor monitoring harmful environment
and diagnosing exhaled breath may be realized using the member 100
for a gas sensor which uses the metal oxide semiconductor
nanofibers 110 including the hetero nanoparticle catalysts 120 and
121. When the member 100 for a gas sensor is manufactured, the
apo-ferritins including the hetero nanoparticle catalysts 120 and
121 may be included into the metal oxide semiconductor nanofibers
110 and shells of the apo-ferritins may be pyrolyzed and removed by
the thermal treatment process to uniformly fasten the hetero
nanoparticle catalysts 120 and 121 to the surface and the inside of
the metal oxide semiconductor nanofibers. The member 100 for a gas
sensor using the metal oxide semiconductor nanofibers 110 including
the hetero nanoparticle catalysts 120 and 121 may be formed by the
processes described above, and the super-sensitivity sensor
monitoring the harmful environment and diagnosing the exhaled
breath may be realized using the member 100 for a gas sensor. At
this time, the super-sensitivity sensor monitoring the harmful
environment gas and diagnosing the exhaled breath may include a gas
sensing material formed using the metal oxide semiconductor
nanofibers 110 including the hetero nanoparticle catalysts 120 and
121, and a resistance measuring unit connected to the gas sensing
material.
[0081] FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing a method of manufacturing a
member for a gas sensor using metal oxide semiconductor nanofibers
including a hetero nanoparticle catalyst through an electrospinning
method in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive concepts.
As shown in the flow chart of FIG. 2, the method of manufacturing
the member for a gas sensor may include synthesizing hetero
nanoparticle catalysts using apo-ferritins (S210), mixing the
apo-ferritins including the synthesized hetero nanoparticle
catalysts with an electrospinning solution including a metal
precursor and a polymer to manufacture a complex spinning solution
(S220), applying an electrospinning method to the complex spinning
solution to manufacture a metal precursor/polymer complex
nanofibers having a surface and the inside to which the
apo-ferritins including the hetero nanoparticle catalysts are
fastened (S230), and performing a thermal treatment process to
manufacture a metal oxide nanofiber complex to which the hetero
nanoparticle catalysts are fastened (S240). Hereinafter, the steps
will be described in more detail.
[0082] First, synthesizing the hetero nanoparticle catalysts using
the apo-ferritins (S210) will be described in detail.
[0083] The apo-ferritin used in the step S210 may include a
ferritin extracted from the equine spleen and/or may be formed
using a ferritin obtained regardless of the human liver or the
human spleen. Iron ions in the obtained ferritin may be removed to
form the apo-ferritin. The iron ions in the ferritin may be removed
by a chemical method and/or an electrical method. A solution for
keeping the apo-ferritins including empty insides (i.e., a hollow
structures) may include a saline solution, e.g., at least one of
NaCl solutions having various concentrations. The apo-ferritins may
be included in a solution having a basic pH in order to provide a
metal salt into the apo-ferritin. In particular, the pH of the
solution may range from 8.0 to 9.5, so the metal salt may be
induced to be provided into the apo-ferritin by the chemical
method. A concentration of the keeping solution (e.g., the saline
solution) containing the apo-ferritin may range from 0.1 mg/ml to
200 mg/ml. A solvent used in the manufacture of the metal salt
solution may be a compatible solvent such as ethanol, water,
chloroform, N,N'-dimethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide,
N,N'-dimethylacetamide, or N-methylpyrrolidone. However, when the
solvent is capable of dissolving the metal salt, the solvent is not
limited to a specific solvent. A concentration of the metal salt
solution may range from 0.1 mg/ml to 1000 mg/ml.
[0084] A kind and combination of the metal salt included in the
apo-ferritin may be various. In some embodiments, a single kind of
metal salt or two different kinds of metal salts may be provided
into the apo-ferritin by a substitution method. The metal salt may
include at least one of Pt, Au, Ag, Fe, Ni, Ti, Y, Sn, Si, Al, Cu,
Mg, Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Co, Zn, Sr, W, Ru, Rh, Ir, Ta, Sb, In, Pb, or Pd
and may be converted into a metal or a metal oxide after the
thermal treatment process. In particular, a hetero nanoparticle
catalyst of which two components are combined with each other but
are segregated from each other (e.g., the hetero nanoparticle
catalyst 120 of FIG. 1) may include a metal-metal shape, a
metal-metal oxide shape, or a metal oxide-metal oxide shape after
the thermal treatment process and may be fastened to the inside and
a partial surface of the metal oxide nanofibers after the thermal
treatment process. The hetero nanoparticle catalyst 120 may have a
size ranging from 0.1 nm to 8 nm. The hetero nanoparticle catalyst
120 may be expressed by the metal-metal (1M'.sub.X-2M'.sub.1-x),
the metal-metal oxide (1M'.sub.x-2M''.sub.YO.sub.Z) and/or the
metal oxide-metal oxide (1M''.sub.YO.sub.Z-2M''.sub.YO.sub.Z),
where "X" is a range of 0.01 to 99.99, "Y" is an integer equal to
or greater than 1 and equal to or less than 3, and "Z" is an
integer equal to or greater than 1 and equal to or less than 5.
[0085] In the case that the different kinds of materials are easily
combined with each other to form a hetero nanoparticle catalyst of
the metal alloy form having strong bonding strength (e.g., the
hetero nanoparticle catalyst of FIG. 1), metal components M and M'
constituting the catalyst 121 may have a form of an intermetallic
compound having a simple constant ratio of M.sub.XM'.sub.Y. Here,
"M" and "M'" denote metal components different from each other, and
each of "X" and "Y" is an integer ranging from 1 to 99.
Alternatively, in the hetero nanoparticle catalyst 121, the
components may form a nanoalloy of M.sub.XM'.sub.1-x which does not
have a constant ratio. Here, "X" is in a range of 0.01 to 0.99.
[0086] A reductant reducing the metal salt provided within the
apo-ferritin may include a compatible reductant such as sodium
borohydride (NaBH.sub.4), lithium aluminum hydride (LiAlH.sub.4),
nascent (atomic) hydrogen, zinc-mercury amalgam (Zn(Hg)), oxalic
acid (C.sub.2H.sub.2O.sub.4), formic acid (HCOOH), ascorbic acid
(C.sub.6H.sub.8O.sub.6), sodium amalgam, diborane, or iron(II)
sulfate.
[0087] Next, manufacturing the complex spinning solution in which
the apo-ferritins including the synthesized hetero nanoparticle
catalysts, the metal oxide precursor and the polymer are dissolved
(S220) will be described in detail.
[0088] In the step S220, the apo-ferritins including the hetero
nanoparticle catalysts, the metal precursor and the polymer may be
dissolved to manufacture the complex spinning solution. Here, a
solvent may include a compatible solvent (e.g., ethanol, water,
chloroform, N,N'-dimethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide,
N,N'-dimethylacetamide, or N-methylpyrrolidone) and should dissolve
the metal precursor and the polymer at the same time. If the
polymer used in the step S220 is capable of being mixed with and
dissolved in the metal precursor (e.g., a metal salt precursor) and
the solvent, the polymer is not limited to a specific polymer.
[0089] The metal precursor used in the step S220 may include a
precursor including a metal salt capable of forming a metal oxide
nanofibers having a semiconductor property by the thermal treatment
process. For example, the metal precursor may include at least one
of, but not limited to, ZnO, SnO.sub.2, WO.sub.3, Fe.sub.2O.sub.3,
Fe.sub.3O.sub.4, NiO, TiO.sub.2, CuO, In.sub.2O.sub.3,
Zn.sub.2SnO.sub.4, Co.sub.3O.sub.4, PdO, LaCoO.sub.3,
NiCo.sub.2O.sub.4, Ca.sub.2Mn.sub.3O.sub.8, V.sub.2O.sub.5,
Cr.sub.2O.sub.3, Nd.sub.2O.sub.3, Sm.sub.2O.sub.3, Eu.sub.2O.sub.3,
Gd.sub.2O.sub.3, Tb.sub.4O.sub.7, Dy.sub.2O.sub.3, Ho.sub.2O.sub.3,
Er.sub.2O.sub.3, Yb.sub.2O.sub.3, Lu.sub.2O.sub.3,
Ag.sub.2V.sub.4O.sub.11, Ag.sub.2O, Li.sub.0.3La.sub.0.57TiO.sub.3,
LiV.sub.3O.sub.8, InTaO.sub.4, CaCu.sub.3Ti.sub.4O.sub.12,
Ag.sub.3PO.sub.4, BaTiO.sub.3, NiTiO.sub.3, SrTiO.sub.3,
Sr.sub.2Nb.sub.2O.sub.7, Sr.sub.2Ta.sub.2O.sub.7, or
Ba.sub.0.5Sr.sub.0.5Co.sub.0.8Fe.sub.0.2O.sub.3-7.
[0090] For example, the polymer used in the step S220 may include
at least one of polyurethane, polyurethane copolymer, cellulose
acetate, cellulose, acetate butyrate, cellulose derivatives,
polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polymethyl acrylate (PMA),
polyacryl copolymer, poly(vinyl acetate) copolymer, polyvinyl
acetate (PVAc), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), polymethyl alcohol
(PVA), poly furfuryl alcohol (PPFA), polystyrene (PS), polystyrene
copolymer, polypropylene oxide (PEO), polypropylene oxide (PPO),
polyethylene oxide copolymer, polypropylene oxide copolymer,
polycarbonate (PC), polyvinylchloride (PVC), polycaprolactone,
polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinylidene fluoride copolymer,
polyamide, or polyimide.
[0091] A weight ratio of the polymer: the hetero nanoparticle
catalyst may range from 1:0.000001 to 1:0.5. A content of the
apo-ferritins including the hetero nanoparticle catalysts may be
determined depending on a kind of the hetero nanoparticle catalyst,
a gas sensing characteristic according thereto, and selectivity
according thereto. The member for a gas sensor which has improved
characteristics may be manufactured using at least one of the
various hetero nanoparticle catalysts.
[0092] When the complex spinning solution is manufactured under the
conditions described above, the metal precursor and the
apo-ferritins including the hetero nanoparticle catalysts may be
firstly stirred into the solvent to uniformly mix the apo-ferritins
including the hetero nanoparticle catalysts with a metal precursor
solution, and then, the polymer may be stirred into the metal
precursor solution including the apo-ferritins. The stirring
process may be sufficiently performed at a temperature of a room
temperature to 40 degrees Celsius for a time of 5 hours to 72 hours
to uniformly mix the apo-ferritins including the hetero
nanoparticle catalysts, the metal precursor and the polymer with
each other. Thus, the complex spinning solution including the metal
precursor, the polymer and the apo-ferritins including the hetero
nanoparticle catalysts may be manufactured for the electrospinning
process of the next step.
[0093] Next, the complex spinning solution may be electrospun to
manufacture the metal precursor/polymer complex nanofibers to which
the apo-ferritins including the hetero nanoparticle catalysts are
uniformly fastened (S230). In an embodiment, the electrospinning
method is used as the method of spinning the complex spinning
solution. However, the inventive concepts are not limited thereto.
In other embodiments, other method capable of manufacturing the
nanofibers may be used in the step S230.
[0094] To electrospin the complex spinning solution including the
apo-ferritins including the hetero nanoparticle catalysts, the
metal precursor (e.g., the metal salt precursor) and the polymer, a
syringe capable of quantitatively injecting the complex spinning
solution may be filled with the complex spinning solution and then
the complex spinning solution may be slowly discharged using a
syringe pump at a constant rate. A syringe system may include the
syringe, an injection needle connected to an end of the syringe, a
high-voltage generator, and a grounded conductive substrate. The
complex spinning solution may be electrospun by an electric field
difference between the needle and a current collector. The solvent
may be evaporated while the complex spinning solution is discharged
by the electrospinning process, so a solid polymer fiber may be
obtained and, at the same time, the metal precursor and the
apo-ferritins including the hetero nanoparticle catalysts may be
uniformly distributed in the inside and on an outer surface of the
polymer fiber, thereby forming a complex nanofibers including the
polymer fiber and the metal precursor and the apo-ferritins
including the hetero nanoparticle catalysts. The complex nanofibers
may have a web shape.
[0095] Next, in the step S240, the thermal treatment process may be
performed on the metal precursor/polymer complex nanofibers to
which the apo-ferritins including the hetero nanoparticle catalysts
are uniformly fastened. In the step S240, the complex nanofibers
may be thermally treated at a temperature ranging from 400 degrees
Celsius to 800 degrees Celsius at which the polymer is pyrolyzed,
and thus the polymer constituting the complex nanofibers and
protein of shell portions of the apo-ferritins including the hetero
nanoparticle catalysts may be pyrolyzed so as to be removed. At
this time, the metal precursor may be oxidized to form metal oxide
nanofibers, and the hetero nanoparticle catalyst included in the
core of the apo-ferritin may be strongly fastened to the metal
oxide semiconductor nanofibers 110 without aggregation.
[0096] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a method of manufacturing a
member for a gas sensor using metal oxide semiconductor nanofibers
including a hetero nanoparticle catalyst using an electrospinning
method in accordance with an embodiment of the inventive
concepts.
[0097] A first process S310 shows an example of performing the
electrospinning process on the complex spinning solution 310
including the metal precursor (e.g., tungsten precursor of FIG. 3),
the polymer, and the apo-ferritins including the hetero
nanoparticle catalysts provided in the hollow regions thereof. At
this time, FIG. 3 shows the apo-ferritins 330 including the hetero
nanoparticle catalysts which are uniformly distributed in the metal
precursor/polymer complex nanofibers 320 manufactured by performing
the electrospinning process on the complex spinning solution
310.
[0098] A second process S320 shows an example of performing a
high-temperature thermal treatment process on the metal
precursor/polymer complex nanofibers 320. At this time, since the
thermal treatment process is performed on the metal
precursor/polymer complex nanofibers 320, the polymer and the
protein corresponding to shells of the apo-ferritins 330 including
the hetero nanoparticle catalysts may be pyrolyzed to be removed,
and metal oxide semiconductor nanofibers 350 including hetero
nanoparticle catalysts 340 and 341 may be manufactured as shown in
FIG. 3. The hetero nanoparticle catalysts 340 and 341 may be
fastened to the surface and the inside of the metal oxide
semiconductor nanofibers 350. The metal oxide semiconductor
nanofibers 350 may constitute the member 100 for a gas sensor.
[0099] In the embodiment of FIG. 3, a tungsten oxide nano complex
is manufactured using the tungsten precursor. However, the
inventive concepts are not limited thereto. The metal precursor may
include any precursor including one of the various metal salts
described above.
[0100] As described above, the hetero nanoparticle catalyst which
has both the chemical sensitization effect and the electronic
sensitization effect unlike a conventional catalyst may be
uniformly distributed in the one-dimensional nanostructure having a
wide surface area without aggregation by the method of
manufacturing the member 100 for a gas sensor using the metal oxide
semiconductor nanofibers 110 including the hetero nanoparticle
catalyst 120 using the electrospinning process in accordance with
embodiments of the inventive concepts. As a result, sensitivity of
a gas sensor using the member 100 may be greatly improved.
[0101] Hereinafter, the inventive concepts will be described in
detail through embodiments and comparison examples. The embodiments
and the comparison examples are provided only to explain the
inventive concepts and are not intended to limit the inventive
concepts.
[0102] Hereinafter, the inventive concepts will be described in
more detail through the embodiments. However, the following
embodiments are provided only to explain the inventive concepts in
more detail and are not intended to limit the inventive
concepts.
[0103] First Embodiment: Manufacture of Hetero Pt--Pd, Pt--Rh and
Pt--Y Nanoparticle Catalysts Obtained from Apo-Ferritins
[0104] The following manufacturing processes are performed to form
Pt--Pd, Pt--Rh and Pt--Y hetero nanoparticle catalysts into the
apo-ferritins.
[0105] To embed the metal salt into the hollow inside of the
apo-ferritin by the chemical method, a pH of a 1 ml solution (Sigma
Aldrich) in which the apo-ferritins of 35 mg/ml are dispersed in a
0.15 M NaCl water solution is adjusted using sodium hydroxide
(NaOH) to 8.6, thereby making a condition that the metal salt comes
into the apo-ferritins.
[0106] To synthesize the hetero nanoparticle catalyst of Pt--Pd,
K.sub.2PtCl.sub.4 (Sigma Aldrich) of 6 mg and K.sub.2PdCl.sub.4
(Sigma Aldrich) of 6 mg are dissolved in 1 ml water to manufacture
a Pt--Pd mixture water solution.
[0107] To synthesize the hetero nanoparticle catalyst of Pt--Rh,
K.sub.2PtCl.sub.4 (Sigma Aldrich) of 6 mg and RhCl.sub.3xH.sub.2O
(Sigma Aldrich) of 6 mg are dissolved in 1 ml water to manufacture
a Pt--Rh mixture water solution.
[0108] To synthesize the hetero nanoparticle catalyst of Pt--Y,
K.sub.2PtCl.sub.4 (Sigma Aldrich) of 5.6 mg and
Y(NO.sub.3).sub.3-6H.sub.2O (Sigma Aldrich) of 3.7 mg are dissolved
in 1 ml water to manufacture a Pt--Y mixture water solution.
[0109] The apo-ferritin water solution having the pH of 8.6 is put
in three vials. The Pt--Pd, Pt--Rh and Pt--Y mixture water
solutions manufactured above are stirred into the three vials,
respectively, while slowly dropping the Pt--Pd, Pt--Rh and Pt--Y
mixture water solutions, so Pt/Pd, Pt/Rh and Pt/Y salts may be
injected into the hollow regions of the apo-ferritins so as to be
embedded in the hollow regions. The stirring process is performed
at 100 rpm for one hour at a room temperature.
[0110] Next, a 0.5 ml solution including a NaBH.sub.4 of 40 mM is
added to reduce the hetero salts provided in the hollow regions of
the apo-ferritins, so the Pt/Pd, Pt/Rh and Pt/Y salts are reduced
to Pt--Pd, Pt--Rh and Pt--Y metal nanoparticles in the
apo-ferritins.
[0111] Since the water solutions in which the hetero nanoparticle
catalysts synthesized using the apo-ferritins are dispersed contain
a great amount of the reductant and a great numbers of ligands
included in the metal salts, the apo-ferritins including the
synthesized hetero nanoparticle catalysts are extracted and several
kinds of salt ions (e.g., Cl, Na, and B) dissolved in the water
solutions are removed by a centrifugal machine. The centrifugal
machine in which each of the water solutions was put was operated
at 12000 rpm for ten minutes. The apo-ferritins including the
hetero nanoparticles which are extracted by the centrifugal machine
are dispersed in water again to manufacture final water solutions
in which the apo-ferritins including Pt--Pd, Pt--Rh and Pt--Y
nanoparticles therein are dispersed.
[0112] FIG. 4 show transmission electron microscope (TEM) images of
the apo-ferritin 330 including the Pt--Pd nanoparticle catalyst
(a), the apo-ferritin 330 including the Pt--Rh nanoparticle
catalyst (b) and the apo-ferritin 330 including the Pt--Y
nanoparticle catalyst (c). The apo-ferritins including the
synthesized hetero (Pt--Pd, Pt--Rh and Pt--Y) nanoparticle
catalysts have sphere shapes and have uniform average diameters
ranging from 2 nm to 4 nm. The proteins surrounding the hetero
nanoparticle catalysts were decomposed by an electronic beam during
TEM analysis, so the proteins were not observed.
[0113] Second Embodiment: Manufacture of Tungsten Oxide (WO.sub.3)
Nanofibers (e.g., Metal Oxide Semiconductor Nanofibers 350 of FIG.
3) Including Hetero Pt--Pd Nanoparticle Catalyst
[0114] After 0.35 g ammonium metatungstate hydrate corresponding to
the tungsten precursor is dissolved in 3 ml water at a room
temperature, a 30 mg apo-ferritin water solution including the
apo-ferritins including the Pt--Pd nanoparticle catalysts
manufactured in the first embodiment is added into the 3 ml water
including the ammonium metatungstate hydrate to mix the
apo-ferritins with a precursor salt. Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP;
weight-average molecular weight: 1,300,000 g/mol) of 0.5 g for
increasing a viscosity of a spinning solution is stirred into the
solution, in which the apo-ferritins including the Pt--Pd
nanoparticle catalysts and the tungsten precursor are very
uniformly dispersed, at a room temperature for 24 hours at 500 rpm,
thereby manufacturing the spinning solution.
[0115] To perform the electrospinning process, a tungsten
precursor/polymer complex spinning solution provided with the
apo-ferritins 330 including the Pt--Pd nanoparticle catalyst was
put into a syringe, and the syringe was connected to a syringe pump
(Henke-Sass Wolf, 10 mL NORM-JECT.RTM.) to discharge the complex
spinning solution at a discharging rate of 0.5 ml/min. The complex
spinning solution was discharged through a needle (27-gauge) of the
syringe. A voltage of 16 kV was applied between the needle
(27-gauge) and a collector obtaining a nanofiber web. A stainless
steel plate (SUS, 0.5 T) was used as the collector of the
nanofibers, and a distance between the needle and the collector was
13 cm. During the electrospinning process, the water corresponding
to the solvent was evaporated to obtain solidified complex
nanofibers 320 in which the tungsten salt precursor, the
polyvinylpyrrolidone polymer and the apo-ferritins including the
Pt--Pd nanoparticle catalysts were uniformly mixed with each other.
The electrospinning process was sufficiently performed for one hour
or more to collect the complex nanofibers (e.g., the complex
nanofibers 320 of FIG. 3) having a web shape on the collector.
[0116] FIG. 5 is a TEM image showing the solidified complex
nanofibers, in which the tungsten salt precursor, the
polyvinylpyrrolidone polymer and the apo-ferritins including the
Pt--Pd nanoparticle catalysts are uniformly mixed with each other,
obtained after the electrospinning process. As shown in FIG. 5, the
complex nanofibers having a one-dimensional structure, a smooth
surface and a diameter of 600 nm to 700 nm is formed by the
electrospinning process.
[0117] Next, the complex nanofibers manufactured by the processes
described above was thermally treated in the air atmosphere. During
the thermal treatment process, the complex nanofibers was heated to
600 degrees Celsius at a heating rate of 4.degree. C./min in the
air atmosphere in the Vulcan 3-550 small electronic furnace of Ney
Co. and was then maintained at 600 degrees Celsius for one hour.
Next, the complex nanofibers was cooled to a room temperature at a
cooling rate of 4.degree. C./min. At this time, in the tungsten
precursor/polyvinylpyrrolidone polymer complex nanofibers including
the apo-ferritins including the Pt--Pd nanoparticle catalysts, the
polyvinylpyrrolidone polymer maintaining the one-dimensional shape
was pyrolyzed to be removed, and the tungsten salt precursor
provided therein was oxidized to form tungsten oxide. A pyrolysis
temperature of the polyvinylpyrrolidone polymer is in a range of
400 degrees Celsius to 450 degrees Celsius. In addition, the
protein shells (pyrolysis temperature: 70 degrees Celsius) of the
apo-ferritins including the Pt--Pd nanoparticle catalysts embedded
in the complex nanofibers were also pyrolyzed to be removed, and
the Pt--Pd nanoparticle catalysts embedded in the protein shells
were uniformly fastened within the tungsten oxide nanofibers.
[0118] FIG. 6 is a TEM image showing the tungsten oxide
semiconductor nanofibers (e.g., the metal oxide semiconductor
nanofibers 350 of FIG. 3) including the Pt--Pd nanoparticle
catalyst (e.g., the hetero nanoparticle catalyst 121 of FIG. 1 or
the hetero nanoparticle catalyst 341 of FIG. 3) obtained after the
thermal treatment process in the second embodiment. The tungsten
oxide semiconductor nanofibers including the Pt--Pd nanoparticle
catalyst has a one-dimensional metal oxide shape by the removal of
the polyvinylpyrrolidone polymer and is shrunk poly-crystalline
oxide nanofibers having a diameter of 400 nm to 500 nm, unlike the
nanofibers before the thermal treatment process.
[0119] Third Embodiment: Manufacture of Tungsten Oxide (WO.sub.3)
Nanofibers (e.g., Metal Oxide Semiconductor Nanofibers 350 of FIG.
3) Including Hetero Pt--Rh Nanoparticle Catalyst
[0120] The manufactured apo-ferritins including the Pt--Rh
nanoparticle catalysts were mixed with the tungsten precursor and
the polyvinylpyrrolidone polymer under the same conditions as those
of the second embodiment to make a spinning solution, and tungsten
oxide nanofibers including the Pt--Rh nanoparticle catalyst were
synthesized by performing the same thermal treatment process as
described in the second embodiment on the spinning solution of the
present embodiment.
[0121] FIG. 7 is a TEM image showing the tungsten oxide
semiconductor nanofibers (e.g., the metal oxide semiconductor
nanofibers 350 of FIG. 3) including the Pt--Rh nanoparticle
catalyst (e.g., the hetero nanoparticle catalyst 121 of FIG. 1 or
the hetero nanoparticle catalyst 341 of FIG. 3) obtained after the
thermal treatment process in the third embodiment. The tungsten
oxide semiconductor nanofibers including the Pt--Rh nanoparticle
catalyst has a one-dimensional metal oxide shape by the removal of
the polyvinylpyrrolidone polymer and has the same diameter and
shape as the tungsten oxide semiconductor nanofibers including the
Pt--Pd nanoparticle catalyst of FIG. 6.
[0122] Fourth Embodiment: Manufacture of Tungsten Oxide (WO.sub.3)
Nanofibers (e.g., Metal Oxide Semiconductor Nanofibers 350 of FIG.
3) Including Hetero Pt--Y Nanoparticle Catalyst
[0123] The manufactured apo-ferritins including the Pt--Y
nanoparticle catalysts were mixed with the tungsten precursor and
the polyvinylpyrrolidone polymer under the same conditions as those
of the second embodiment to make a spinning solution, and a
tungsten oxide nanofibers including the Pt--Y nanoparticle catalyst
was synthesized by performing the same thermal treatment process as
described in the second embodiment on the spinning solution of the
present embodiment.
[0124] FIG. 8 is a TEM image showing the tungsten oxide
semiconductor nanofibers (e.g., the metal oxide semiconductor
nanofibers 350 of FIG. 3) including the Pt--Y nanoparticle catalyst
(e.g., the hetero nanoparticle catalyst 121 of FIG. 1 or the hetero
nanoparticle catalyst 341 of FIG. 3) obtained after the thermal
treatment process in the fourth embodiment. The tungsten oxide
semiconductor nanofibers including the Pt--Y nanoparticle catalyst
has a one-dimensional metal oxide shape by the removal of the
polyvinylpyrrolidone polymer and has the same diameter and shape as
the tungsten oxide semiconductor nanofibers including the Pt--Pd
nanoparticle catalyst of FIG. 6.
[0125] First Comparison Example: Manufacture of Tungsten Oxide
Nanofibers Including Mono Pt Nanoparticle Catalyst Obtained from
Apo-Ferritin
[0126] Tungsten oxide nanofibers containing mono Pt nanoparticle
catalysts obtained from apo-ferritins were manufactured in order to
be compared with the tungsten oxide nanofibers including the Pt--Pd
nanoparticles obtained from the apo-ferritins including the hetero
nanoparticle catalysts (e.g., the hetero nanoparticle catalyst 121
of FIG. 1) manufactured in the second embodiment.
[0127] The same method as described in the first embodiment was
performed to manufacture the mono Pt nanoparticle catalyst using
the apo-ferritin except for a source for synthesizing nanoparticle
catalysts. In other word, K.sub.2PtCl.sub.4 and K.sub.2PdCl.sub.4
were used to synthesize the hetero Pt--Pd nanoparticle catalyst in
the first embodiment, but a 20 mg/ml solution using
H.sub.2PtCl.sub.6.H.sub.2O was prepared and applied in order to
synthesize the mono Pt nanoparticle catalysts using the
apo-ferritins.
[0128] FIG. 9 is a TEM image showing the apo-ferritin including the
Pt nanoparticle catalyst, manufactured by the above processes. The
synthesized apo-ferritins including the Pt nanoparticle catalysts
have sphere shapes like the apo-ferritins including the hetero
Pt--Pd nanoparticle catalysts and have a little small average
diameter of 1 nm to 2 nm. A size of the nanoparticle formed in the
hollow region of the apo-ferritin may be adjusted by adjusting a
content of a metal salt and a process parameter.
[0129] The manufactured apo-ferritins including the Pt nanoparticle
catalysts were mixed with the tungsten precursor and the
polyvinylpyrrolidone polymer under the same conditions as those of
the second embodiment to make a spinning solution, and tungsten
oxide nanofibers including the Pt nanoparticle catalysts was
synthesized by performing the same thermal treatment process as
described in the second embodiment on the spinning solution of the
present comparison example.
[0130] FIG. 10 is a TEM image showing the tungsten oxide nanofibers
including the mono Pt nanoparticle catalysts, which is obtained by
performing an electrospinning process using the spinning solution
including the apo-ferritins including the mono Pt nanoparticle
catalysts, the tungsten precursor and the polyvinylpyrrolidone
polymer and by performing the same thermal treatment process as
described in the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the
tungsten oxide nanofibers including the mono Pt nanoparticle
catalysts has the same diameter and shape as the tungsten oxide
nanofibers including the hetero Pt--Pd nanoparticle catalysts of
FIG. 6.
[0131] FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view and a TEM image,
obtained using a focused ion beam (FIB), of a tungsten oxide
nanofiber to which the mono Pt nanoparticle catalysts are fastened.
As shown in a cross-sectional view of FIG. 11, if several kinds of
gases reach the tungsten oxide nanofiber to which the mono Pt
nanoparticle catalysts are fastened, the gases are permeated into
the inside of the tungsten oxide nanofiber through pores between
outer tungsten oxides of which grains are greatly grown to have
great grain sizes, and porous tungsten oxides having small grain
sizes are fastened to the Pt nanoparticle catalysts in the inside
of the tungsten oxide nanofiber, thereby improving reactivity of
the permeated gases. Thus, a high-sensitivity structure is
obtained. General known methods of increasing a sensitivity of a
metal oxide includes a method of reducing grain sizes of the metal
oxide to maximize an electron depletion layer of the metal oxide
when a gas is adsorbed, and a method of realizing a porous
structure in which catalysts are uniformly distributed. In
processes of decomposing and removing apo-ferritin protein and of
crystallizing a nanofibers, fine pores having sizes ranging from
0.5 nm to 50 nm may be formed in the metal oxide nanofibers. As
shown in the TEM image of FIG. 11, the tungsten oxide nanofiber has
a grain size gradient from an outer portion to an inner portion
thereof. Thus, the tungsten oxide nanofiber has the structure
increasing the reactivity of the gases. FIG. 12 shows images
obtained by performing element-component analysis on the tungsten
oxide nanofiber including the mono Pt nanoparticle catalyst of FIG.
11 by an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS). As shown in
FIG. 12, tungsten (W, expressed by a red color) and oxygen (O,
expressed by a green color) constituting the tungsten oxide were
detected, and platinum (Pt) synthesized using the apo-ferritin and
contained in the nanofiber was uniformly detected in the
nanofiber.
[0132] FIG. 13 is a graph showing characteristic evaluation of a
gas sensor using the tungsten oxide nanofibers to which the mono Pt
nanoparticle catalysts are fastened. A manufacturing method of the
gas sensor was the same as a manufacturing method to be described
below in a first experimental example. Response characteristics of
the gas sensor to an acetone (CH.sub.3COCH.sub.3) gas of 5 ppm, a
hydrogen sulfide (H.sub.2S) gas of 5 ppm, a toluene
(C.sub.6H.sub.5CH.sub.3) gas of 5 ppm, an ethanol
(C.sub.2H.sub.5OH) gas of 5 ppm, a hydrogen (H.sub.2) gas of 5 ppm
and a carbon monoxide (CO) gas of 5 ppm were evaluated in relative
humidity of 85% RH to 95% RH similar to humidity of gases coming
from mouths of men under a condition that a driving temperature of
the gas sensor was 350 degrees Celsius. As a result of the
evaluation, the response (R.sub.air/R.sub.gas) of the tungsten
oxide nanofibers including the mono Pt nanoparticle catalysts to
acetone was 153, so the tungsten oxide nanofibers including the
mono Pt nanoparticle catalysts very selectively responded to the
acetone gas.
[0133] Second Comparison Example: Manufacture of Tungsten Oxide
Nanofibers Including Mono Pd Nanoparticle Catalyst Obtained from
Apo-Ferritin
[0134] Tungsten oxide nanofibers containing mono Pd nanoparticle
catalysts obtained from apo-ferritins was manufactured in order to
be compared with the tungsten oxide nanofibers including the Pt--Pd
nanoparticles obtained from the apo-ferritins including the hetero
nanoparticle catalysts (e.g., the hetero nanoparticle catalyst 121
of FIG. 1) manufactured in the second embodiment.
[0135] The same method as described in the first embodiment was
performed to manufacture the mono Pt nanoparticle catalysts using
the apo-ferritins except for a source for synthesizing the
nanoparticle catalysts. In other word, K.sub.2PtCl.sub.4 and
K.sub.2PdCl.sub.4 were used to synthesize the hetero Pt--Pd
nanoparticle catalysts in the first embodiment, but a 10 mg/ml
solution using K.sub.2PdCl.sub.4 was prepared and applied in order
to synthesize the mono Pd nanoparticle catalysts using the
apo-ferritins.
[0136] FIG. 14 is a TEM image showing the apo-ferritin including
the palladium nanoparticle catalyst obtained in the second
comparison example. The synthesized apo-ferritins including the Pd
nanoparticle catalysts have sphere shapes like the apo-ferritins
including the hetero Pt--Pd nanoparticle catalysts and have a
little small average diameter of 1 nm to 2 nm.
[0137] The manufactured apo-ferritins including the Pd nanoparticle
catalysts were mixed with the tungsten precursor and the
polyvinylpyrrolidone polymer under the same conditions as those of
the second embodiment to make a spinning solution, and tungsten
oxide nanofibers including the Pd nanoparticle catalysts was
synthesized by performing the same thermal treatment process as
described in the second embodiment on the spinning solution of the
present comparison example.
[0138] FIG. 15 is a TEM image showing the tungsten oxide nanofibers
including the mono Pd nanoparticle catalysts, which is obtained by
performing an electrospinning process using the spinning solution
including the apo-ferritins including the mono Pd nanoparticle
catalysts, the tungsten precursor and the polyvinylpyrrolidone
polymer and by performing the same thermal treatment process as
described in the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 15, the
tungsten oxide nanofibers including the mono Pd nanoparticle
catalysts has the same diameter and shape as the tungsten oxide
nanofibers including the hetero Pt--Pd nanoparticle catalysts of
FIG. 6.
[0139] FIG. 16 is a graph showing characteristic evaluation of a
gas sensor using the tungsten oxide nanofibers to which the mono Pd
nanoparticle catalysts are fastened. A manufacturing method of the
gas sensor was the same as the manufacturing method to be described
below in the first experimental example. Response characteristics
of the gas sensor to an acetone (CH.sub.3COCH.sub.3) gas of 5 ppm,
a hydrogen sulfide (H.sub.2S) gas of 5 ppm, a toluene
(C.sub.6H.sub.5CH.sub.3) gas of 5 ppm, an ethanol
(C.sub.2H.sub.5OH) gas of 5 ppm, a hydrogen (H.sub.2) gas of 5 ppm
and a carbon monoxide (CO) gas of 5 ppm were evaluated in relative
humidity of 85% RH to 95% RH similar to humidity of gases coming
from mouths of men under a condition that a driving temperature of
the gas sensor was 350 degrees Celsius. As a result of the
evaluation, the response (R.sub.air/R.sub.gas) of the tungsten
oxide nanofibers including the mono Pd nanoparticle catalysts to
toluene was 39, so the tungsten oxide nanofibers including the mono
Pd nanoparticle catalysts very selectively responded to the toluene
gas.
[0140] Gas sensors were manufactured to check gas response
characteristics of the tungsten oxide nanofibers including the mono
Pt nanoparticle catalysts manufactured in the first comparison
example, the tungsten oxide nanofibers including the mono Pd
nanoparticle catalysts manufactured in the second comparison
example, and the tungsten oxide nanofibers including the hetero
Pt--Pd nanoparticle catalysts manufactured in the second
embodiment.
[0141] First Experimental Example: Manufacture and Characteristic
Evaluation of Gas Sensors Including Tungsten Oxide Nanofibers
Including Hetero Pt--Pd Nanoparticle Catalysts, Tungsten Oxide
Nanofibers Including Mono Pt Nanoparticle Catalysts, and Tungsten
Oxide Nanofibers Including Mono Pd Nanoparticle Catalysts,
Respectively
[0142] A sensor for detecting a harmful environment gas and
diagnosing exhaled breath was manufactured using the tungsten oxide
nanofibers containing the hetero Pt--Pd nanoparticle catalysts
manufactured according to the inventive concepts, and
characteristics of the sensor were analyzed.
[0143] Each of the tungsten oxide nanofiber 110 containing the
hetero Pt--Pd nanoparticle catalysts and the tungsten oxide
nanofibers containing the mono Pt and Pd nanoparticle catalysts was
dispersed in ethanol, and an ultrasonic pulverization process was
performed on the ethanol including the nanofibers for 30 minutes to
pulverize the nanofibers. Gold (Au) sensor electrodes of a finger
shape were formed on an alumina (Al.sub.2O.sub.3) substrate having
an area of 3 mm.times.3 mm with distances of 150 .mu.m interposed
therebetween. Each of the Au sensor electrodes had a thickness of
25 .mu.m and a length of 345 .mu.m. A sensing material including
the manufactured catalyst particles was coated on the substrate
having the electrodes by a drop coating method. In the coating
method, a 3 .mu.l mixture solution experiencing the ultrasonic
pulverization process was dropped and coated on the substrate
having the sensor electrodes by a micro pipet, and then, the
substrate coated with the mixture solution was dried on a hot plate
of 80 degrees Celsius. These processes were repeated four to five
times to nicely coat the gas sensing material between the
electrodes.
[0144] The Au sensor electrodes were formed on a front side of the
alumina substrate, and a micro heater was adhered to a back side of
the alumina substrate opposite to the front side. A temperature of
the alumina substrate was adjusted according to a voltage applied
to the micro heater.
[0145] A hydrogen sulfide (H.sub.2S) gas, an acetone
(CH.sub.3COCH.sub.3) gas, a toluene (C.sub.6H.sub.5CH.sub.3) gas,
and an ethanol (C.sub.2H.sub.5OH) gas are biomarker gases for
diagnosing foul breath, diabetes, lung cancer, and an alcohol
index, respectively. To evaluate exhaled breath sensor
characteristics, response characteristics of the gas sensor to each
of the gases was evaluated at a sensor driving temperature of 350
degrees Celsius in relative humidity of 85% RH to 95% RH similar to
humidity of gases coming from mouths of men while changing a
concentration of each of the gases in an order of 5 ppm, 4 ppm, 3
ppm, 2 ppm, and 1 ppm.
[0146] A resistance value varied when each of the gases flowed was
detected using the 34972A model of Agilent Co. and a response
(R.sub.air/R.sub.gas resistance variation) of the sensor to each of
the gases was analyzed to check sensitivity characteristics of the
sensor. Here, "R.sub.air" denotes a resistance in air, and
"R.sub.gas" denotes a resistance when the gas flows.
[0147] FIGS. 17, 18, 19, and 20 show test results of the gas
sensors which include the tungsten oxide nanofibers containing the
hetero Pt--Pd nanoparticle catalysts of the second embodiment, the
tungsten oxide nanofibers containing the mono Pt nanoparticle
catalysts of the first comparison example, and the tungsten oxide
nanofibers containing the mono Pd nanoparticle catalysts of the
second comparison example, respectively.
[0148] FIG. 17 shows responses (R.sub.air/R.sub.gas) according to a
time when the concentration of the acetone gas is reduced in an
order of 5 ppm, 4 ppm, 3 ppm, 2 ppm, and 1 ppm at 300 degrees
Celsius. Here, "R.sub.air" denotes a resistance value of the metal
oxide material when air is injected, and "R.sub.gas" denotes a
resistance value of the metal oxide material when the acetone gas
is injected.
[0149] As shown in FIG. 17, the response characteristic of the
sensor manufactured using the tungsten oxide nanofibers containing
the hetero Pt--Pd nanoparticle catalysts is 3 times higher than
that of the sensor manufactured using the tungsten oxide nanofibers
containing the mono Pt nanoparticle catalysts and is 16 times
higher than that of the sensor manufactured using the tungsten
oxide nanofibers containing the mono Pd nanoparticle catalyst at 5
ppm.
[0150] FIG. 18 shows responses (R.sub.air/R.sub.gas) according to a
time when the concentration of the ethanol gas is reduced in an
order of 5 ppm, 4 ppm, 3 ppm, 2 ppm, and 1 ppm at 300 degrees
Celsius. Here, "R.sub.air" denotes a resistance value of the metal
oxide material when air is injected, and "R.sub.gas" denotes a
resistance value of the metal oxide material when the ethanol gas
is injected.
[0151] As shown in FIG. 18, the response characteristic of the
sensor manufactured using the tungsten oxide nanofibers containing
the hetero Pt--Pd nanoparticle catalysts is 18 times higher than
that of the sensor manufactured using the tungsten oxide nanofibers
containing the mono Pt nanoparticle catalysts and is 55 times
higher than that of the sensor manufactured using the tungsten
oxide nanofibers containing the mono Pd nanoparticle catalyst at 5
ppm.
[0152] FIG. 19 shows responses (R.sub.air/R.sub.gas) according to a
time when the concentration of the hydrogen sulfide gas is reduced
in an order of 5 ppm, 4 ppm, 3 ppm, 2 ppm, and 1 ppm at 300 degrees
Celsius. Here, "R.sub.air" denotes a resistance value of the metal
oxide material when air is injected, and "R.sub.gas" denotes a
resistance value of the metal oxide material when the hydrogen
sulfide gas is injected.
[0153] As shown in FIG. 19, the response characteristic of the
sensor manufactured using the tungsten oxide nanofibers containing
the hetero Pt--Pd nanoparticle catalysts is 25 times higher than
that of the sensor manufactured using the tungsten oxide nanofibers
containing the mono Pt nanoparticle catalysts and is 50 times
higher than that of the sensor manufactured using the tungsten
oxide nanofibers containing the mono Pd nanoparticle catalyst at 5
ppm.
[0154] FIG. 20 shows responses (R.sub.air/R.sub.gas) according to a
time when the concentration of the toluene gas is reduced in an
order of 5 ppm, 4 ppm, 3 ppm, 2 ppm, and 1 ppm at 300 degrees
Celsius. Here, "R.sub.air" denotes a resistance value of the metal
oxide material when air is injected, and "R.sub.gas" denotes a
resistance value of the metal oxide material when the toluene gas
is injected.
[0155] As shown in FIG. 20, the response characteristic of the
sensor manufactured using the tungsten oxide nanofibers containing
the hetero Pt--Pd nanoparticle catalysts is 6 times higher than
that of the sensor manufactured using the tungsten oxide nanofibers
containing the mono Pt nanoparticle catalysts and is 2 times higher
than that of the sensor manufactured using the tungsten oxide
nanofibers containing the mono Pd nanoparticle catalyst at 5
ppm.
[0156] As the results shown in FIGS. 17, 18, 19 and 20, the
response characteristics of the gas sensor including the tungsten
oxide nanofibers containing the hetero Pt--Pd nanoparticle
catalysts with respect to acetone, ethanol, hydrogen sulfide and
toluene are much higher than those of the gas sensors including the
tungsten oxide nanofibers containing the mono Pt and the mono Pd.
It may be verified that the hetero nanoparticle catalyst of Pt--Pd
shows both the chemical sensitization effect of the mono Pt
nanoparticle catalyst and the electronic sensitization effect of
the mono Pd nanoparticle catalyst.
[0157] Second Experimental Example: Manufacture and Characteristic
Evaluation of Gas Sensors Including Tungsten Oxide Nanofibers
Including Hetero Pt--Rh Nanoparticle Catalysts, Tungsten Oxide
Nanofibers Including Mono Pt Nanoparticle Catalysts, and Tungsten
Oxide Nanofibers Including Mono Pd Nanoparticle Catalysts,
Respectively
[0158] In the second experimental example, sensors for detecting a
harmful environment gas and diagnosing exhaled breath were
manufactured using the tungsten oxide nanofibers containing the
hetero Pt--Rh nanoparticle catalysts of the third embodiment and
the tungsten oxide nanofibers containing the mono Pt nanoparticle
catalysts and the mono Pd nanoparticle catalysts of the first and
second comparison examples by means of the same processes and same
conditions as the first experimental example. In addition,
characteristics of the sensors were analyzed. However, in the
second experimental example, responses of the sensors were measured
at a process temperature of 350 degrees Celsius.
[0159] FIG. 21 shows responses (R.sub.air/R.sub.gas) according to a
time when the concentration of the acetone gas is reduced in an
order of 5 ppm, 4 ppm, 3 ppm, 2 ppm, and 1 ppm at 350 degrees
Celsius. Here, "R.sub.air" denotes a resistance value of the metal
oxide material when air is injected, and "R.sub.gas" denotes a
resistance value of the metal oxide material when the acetone gas
is injected.
[0160] As shown in FIG. 21, the response characteristic of the
sensor manufactured using the tungsten oxide nanofibers containing
the hetero Pt--Rh nanoparticle catalysts is 1.8 times higher than
that of the sensor manufactured using the tungsten oxide nanofibers
containing the mono Pt nanoparticle catalysts and is 10 times
higher than that of the sensor manufactured using the tungsten
oxide nanofibers containing the mono Pd nanoparticle catalyst at 5
ppm.
[0161] Third Experimental Example: Manufacture and Characteristic
Evaluation of Gas Sensors Including Tungsten Oxide Nanofibers
Including Hetero Pt--Y Nanoparticle Catalysts, Tungsten Oxide
Nanofibers Including Mono Pt Nanoparticle Catalysts, and Tungsten
Oxide Nanofibers Including Mono Pd Nanoparticle Catalysts,
Respectively
[0162] In the third experimental example, sensors for detecting a
harmful environment gas and diagnosing exhaled breath were
manufactured using the tungsten oxide nanofibers containing the
hetero Pt--Y nanoparticle catalysts of the fourth embodiment and
the tungsten oxide nanofibers containing the mono Pt nanoparticle
catalysts and the mono Pd nanoparticle catalysts of the first and
second comparison examples by means of the same processes and same
conditions as the second experimental example, and characteristics
of the sensors were analyzed.
[0163] FIG. 22 shows responses (R.sub.air/R.sub.gas) according to a
time when the concentration of the acetone gas is reduced in an
order of 5 ppm, 4 ppm, 3 ppm, 2 ppm, and 1 ppm at 350 degrees
Celsius. Here, "R.sub.air" denotes a resistance value of the metal
oxide material when air is injected, and "R.sub.gas" denotes a
resistance value of the metal oxide material when the acetone gas
is injected.
[0164] As shown in FIG. 22, the response characteristic of the
sensor manufactured using the tungsten oxide nanofibers containing
the hetero Pt--Y nanoparticle catalysts is 2.9 times higher than
that of the sensor manufactured using the tungsten oxide nanofibers
containing the mono Pt nanoparticle catalysts and is 18 time higher
than that of the sensor manufactured using the tungsten oxide
nanofibers containing the mono Pd nanoparticle catalyst at 5
ppm.
[0165] The experimental examples described above show the
experimental results of volatile organic compound gases as an
example. However, the inventive concepts are not limited thereto.
The sensing materials and/or gas sensors according to the inventive
concepts may have excellent gas sensing characteristics with
respect to H.sub.2, NO.sub.x, CO, SO.sub.x corresponding to
representative harmful environment gases. In addition, in the
sensors manufactured using the tungsten oxide nanofibers containing
the hetero Pt--Pd, Pt--Rh and Pt--Y nanoparticle catalysts,
response sensitivity and selectivity of harmful environment gas
detection and exhaled breath diagnosis may be improved by changing
kinds and combinations of the hetero catalysts, by combining three
or more different kinds of materials and/or by adjusting
concentrations of the catalysts.
[0166] According to the inventive concepts, apo-ferritins
containing hetero nanoparticle catalysts may be dispersed in the
electrospinning solution to synthesize the metal oxide
semiconductor nanofiber sensing material, so the hetero
nanoparticle catalysts may provide the electronic and chemical
sensitization effects at the same time and/or the nanofiber sensors
with excellent sensitivity and selectivity may be manufactured due
to new catalyst characteristics of the nano alloy catalyst. In
particular, the hetero nanoparticle alloy catalysts may be
converted into hetero nanoparticle catalysts having various
combinations of metal-metal, metal-metal oxide and/or metal
oxide-metal oxide during the thermal treatment process, so a
catalyst library having excellent selectivity may be provided in
manufacturing various kinds of arrays. Moreover, since the protein
constituting the apo-ferritin has an excellent dispersion
characteristic, the aggregation between catalyst particles may not
occur to obtain excellent characteristics. Furthermore, the protein
of the apo-ferritins are removed during the thermal treatment
process to form the pores, and thus it is possible to realize the
member for a gas sensor having excellent gas response
characteristics, the gas sensor using the same, and the
manufacturing method thereof.
[0167] While the inventive concepts have been described with
reference to example embodiments, it will be apparent to those
skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be
made without departing from the spirits and scopes of the inventive
concepts. Therefore, it should be understood that the above
embodiments are not limiting, but illustrative. Thus, the scopes of
the inventive concepts are to be determined by the broadest
permissible interpretation of the following claims and their
equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the
foregoing description:
* * * * *