Abstract
Chemical gas sensors are crucial to detect and analyze pollutant and hazardous gases that are
not only harmful to humans and animals e.g. ozone and nitrogen oxides but also endangering
life on earth in a wider sense. Current sensors are typically limited by selectivity, sensitivity,
detection limit and response time, thus, a new generation of sensors is needed. We propose to
develop chemical sensors where the active layers are based on new Ni(II) coordination
complexes with a vacant site in their ligand sphere. We will use this novel approach to prepare
thin film structures of these nanomaterials and test their sensing abilities towards the
environmental hazardous gases: NOx, O3, CO2, NH3 and volatile organic compound vapors.
The chemiresistive properties will be recorded and analyzed to gain information on sensitivity
and detection limits, selectivity, response and recovery times. We will use the results to tailor
the material, structure and composition to produce cheaper, reusable, durable, innovative
sensors with low power consumption.