Fabrication of a Wireless Portable Ethanol Detecting Device Based on Synthesized CuO Nanoplates With the Capability to Alert for Elevated Gas Levels

The proposed device utilizes a small CuO-based sensor for measuring the concentration of ethanol vapor and issuing alerts for dangerously elevated ethanol levels. We have synthesized CuO nanoplates (NPs) via a facile hydrothermal method. Different advanced characterization techniques were employed to demonstrate the desired phase, crystallinity, morphology, and chemical composition. The Pt interdigitated electrodes (IDEs) on alumina substrate with an area of
$3\times 3$
mm containing six fingers, with
$150~\mu $
m gap spacing, and
$300~\mu $
m finger widths have been employed. To obtain the working temperature a microheater was fabricated and used. Additionally, to facilitate the sensing test sensor holder was employed. The CuO-NPs-based sensor was embedded in the fabricated self-powered portable device and exposed to ethanol vapor at different temperatures. The sensor showed a response of 17.6–100 ppm ethanol at 160 °C. Also, a long-term stability of 20 days has been reported. NP morphology offered a high surface area and adsorption sites for incoming ethanol gas molecules which plays a vital role in the performance of the sensor.