Vijendra Singh Bhati

Bio: Vijendra Singh Bhati is an academic researcher from Indian Institute of Technology, Jodhpur. The author has contributed to research in topics: Hydrogen & Sputter deposition. The author has an hindex of 9, co-authored 15 publications receiving 466 citations. Previous affiliations of Vijendra Singh Bhati include Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar.

Improved Sensitivity with Low Limit of Detection of a Hydrogen Gas Sensor Based on rGO-Loaded Ni-Doped ZnO Nanostructures.

Abstract: We report enhanced hydrogen-gas-sensing performance of a Ni-doped ZnO sensor decorated with the optimum concentration of reduced graphene oxide (rGO). Ni-doped ZnO nanoplates were grown by radio frequency sputtering, rGO was synthesized by Hummer’s method and decorated by the drop cast method of various concentration of rGO (0–1.5 wt %). The current–voltage characteristics of the rGO-loaded sensor are highly influenced by the loading concentration of rGO, where current conduction decreases and sensor resistance increases as the rGO concentration is increased up to 0.75 wt % because of the formation of various Schottky heterojunctions at rGO/ZnO interfaces. With the combined effect of more active site availability and formation of various p–n heterojunctions due to the optimum loading concentration of rGO (0.75 wt %), the sensor shows the maximum sensing response of ∼63.8% for 100 ppm hydrogen at moderate operating temperature (150 °C). The rGO-loaded sensors were able to detect a minimum of 1 ppm hydrogen...

Pd/ZnO nanorods based sensor for highly selective detection of extremely low concentration hydrogen

Abstract: We report highly hydrogen selective Pd contacted ZnO nanorods based sensor detecting low concentration even at low operating temperature of 50 °C. The sensor performance was investigated for various gases such as H2, CH4, H2S and CO2 at different operating temperatures from 50 °C to 175 °C for various gas concentrations ranging from 7 ppm to 10,000 ppm (1%). The sensor is highly efficient as it detects hydrogen even at low concentration of ~7 ppm and at operating temperature of 50 °C. The sensor’s minimum limit of detection and relative response at 175 °C were found 7 ppm with ~38.7% for H2, 110 ppm with ~6.08% for CH4, 500 ppm with ~10.06% for H2S and 1% with ~11.87% for CO2. Here, Pd exhibits dual characteristics as metal contact and excellent catalyst to hydrogen molecules. The activation energy was calculated for all the gases and found lowest ~3.658 kJ/mol for H2. Low activation energy accelerates desorption reactions and enhances the sensor’s performance.

Efficient hydrogen sensor based on Ni-doped ZnO nanostructures by RF sputtering

Abstract: We demonstrate RF sputtered Ni-doped ZnO nanostructures for detection of extremely low concentration (1 ppm) of hydrogen gas at moderate operating temperature of 75 °C. Structural, morphological, electrical and hydrogen sensing behavior of the Ni-doped ZnO nanostructures strongly depends on doping concentration. Ni doping exceptionally enhances the sensing response and reduces the operating temperature of the sensor as compared to undoped ZnO. The major role of the Ni-doping is to create more active sites for chemisorbed oxygen on the surface of sensor and, correspondingly, to improve the sensing response. The 4 at% of Ni-doped ZnO exhibits the highest response (∼69%) for 1% H 2 at 150 °C, which are ∼1.5 times higher than for the undoped ZnO. This is ascribed to lowest activation energy ∼6.47 KJ/mol. Diminishing of the relative response was observed in 6% Ni- doped ZnO due to separation of NiO phase.

Gas sensing performance of 2D nanomaterials/metal oxide nanocomposites: a review

Abstract: In recent years, the utilization of gas sensors has increased tremendously in daily life and industry. Importantly, appropriate material selection should be made for gas sensors in order to achieve outstanding gas sensing performance, such as high sensitivity, good selectivity, a fast response/recovery time, and long-term stability. Numerous studies have shown that neither pure metal oxide semiconductor nor individual 2D nanomaterial (graphene, transition metal dichalcogenides, metal–organic frameworks, metal oxide nanosheets, MXenes, and phosphorene) based gas sensors are capable of showing excellent gas-sensing performance towards gas molecules. However, synergistic combinations of metal oxides and 2D nanomaterials have demonstrated enhanced gas-sensing performance in many studies. This review aims at providing a comprehensive summary of the current advancements in 2D/metal-oxide based heterostructures as gas sensors. Additionally, the underlying sensing mechanisms of various kinds of gas sensors are systematically described, and the device architectures and their corresponding sensing performances are summarized. Finally, the challenges and future prospects of 2D/metal-oxide nanocomposite-based gas sensors for sensing applications have been outlined.

Pseudocapacitive Electrodes Produced By Oxidant-Free Polymerization of Pyrrole Between the Layers of 2D Titanium Carbide (MXene)

Abstract: Heterocyclic pyrrole molecules are in situ aligned and polymerized in the -absence of an oxidant between layers of the 2D Ti3C2Tx (MXene), resulting in high volumetric and gravimetric capacitances with capacitance retention of 92% after 25,000 cycles at a 100 mV s(-1) scan rate.

Advances in designs and mechanisms of semiconducting metal oxide nanostructures for high-precision gas sensors operated at room temperature

Abstract: High-precision gas sensors operated at room temperature are attractive for various real-time gas monitoring applications, with advantages including low energy consumption, cost effectiveness and device miniaturization/flexibility. Studies on sensing materials, which play a key role in good gas sensing performance, are currently focused extensively on semiconducting metal oxide nanostructures (SMONs) used in the conventional resistance type gas sensors. This topical review highlights the designs and mechanisms of different SMONs with various patterns (e.g. nanoparticles, nanowires, nanosheets, nanorods, nanotubes, nanofilms, etc.) for gas sensors to detect various hazardous gases at room temperature. The key topics include (1) single phase SMONs including both n-type and p-type ones; (2) noble metal nanoparticle and metal ion modified SMONs; (3) composite oxides of SMONs; (4) composites of SMONs with carbon nanomaterials. Enhancement of the sensing performance of SMONs at room temperature can also be realized using a photo-activation effect such as ultraviolet light. SMON based mechanically flexible and wearable room temperature gas sensors are also discussed. Various mechanisms have been discussed for the enhanced sensing performance, which include redox reactions, heterojunction generation, formation of metal sulfides and the spillover effect. Finally, major challenges and prospects for the SMON based room temperature gas sensors are highlighted.

A Review on Biosensors and Recent Development of Nanostructured Materials-Enabled Biosensors.

Abstract: A biosensor is an integrated receptor-transducer device, which can convert a biological response into an electrical signal The design and development of biosensors have taken a center stage for researchers or scientists in the recent decade owing to the wide range of biosensor applications, such as health care and disease diagnosis, environmental monitoring, water and food quality monitoring, and drug delivery The main challenges involved in the biosensor progress are (i) the efficient capturing of biorecognition signals and the transformation of these signals into electrochemical, electrical, optical, gravimetric, or acoustic signals (transduction process), (ii) enhancing transducer performance ie, increasing sensitivity, shorter response time, reproducibility, and low detection limits even to detect individual molecules, and (iii) miniaturization of the biosensing devices using micro-and nano-fabrication technologies Those challenges can be met through the integration of sensing technology with nanomaterials, which range from zero- to three-dimensional, possessing a high surface-to-volume ratio, good conductivities, shock-bearing abilities, and color tunability Nanomaterials (NMs) employed in the fabrication and nanobiosensors include nanoparticles (NPs) (high stability and high carrier capacity), nanowires (NWs) and nanorods (NRs) (capable of high detection sensitivity), carbon nanotubes (CNTs) (large surface area, high electrical and thermal conductivity), and quantum dots (QDs) (color tunability) Furthermore, these nanomaterials can themselves act as transduction elements This review summarizes the evolution of biosensors, the types of biosensors based on their receptors, transducers, and modern approaches employed in biosensors using nanomaterials such as NPs (eg, noble metal NPs and metal oxide NPs), NWs, NRs, CNTs, QDs, and dendrimers and their recent advancement in biosensing technology with the expansion of nanotechnology

A Review of Microwave Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanomaterials: Reactants, Process Parameters and Morphologies

Abstract: Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a multifunctional material due to its exceptional physicochemical properties and broad usefulness. The special properties resulting from the reduction of the material size from the macro scale to the nano scale has made the application of ZnO nanomaterials (ZnO NMs) more popular in numerous consumer products. In recent years, particular attention has been drawn to the development of various methods of ZnO NMs synthesis, which above all meet the requirements of the green chemistry approach. The application of the microwave heating technology when obtaining ZnO NMs enables the development of new methods of syntheses, which are characterised by, among others, the possibility to control the properties, repeatability, reproducibility, short synthesis duration, low price, purity, and fulfilment of the eco-friendly approach criterion. The dynamic development of materials engineering is the reason why it is necessary to obtain ZnO NMs with strictly defined properties. The present review aims to discuss the state of the art regarding the microwave synthesis of undoped and doped ZnO NMs. The first part of the review presents the properties of ZnO and new applications of ZnO NMs. Subsequently, the properties of microwave heating are discussed and compared with conventional heating and areas of application are presented. The final part of the paper presents reactants, parameters of processes, and the morphology of products, with a division of the microwave synthesis of ZnO NMs into three primary groups, namely hydrothermal, solvothermal, and hybrid methods.