Structural Chemistry & Crystallography Communication

Meso porous silicon (meso-PSi) layer prepared by laser-assisted etching process in HF acid was employed as CO2 gas sensors. Embedded gold nanoparticles AuNPs could modify the surface morphology of meso-PSi and form meso-PSi/Au-NPs hybrid structures through simple and quick dipping process in different gold salts concentrations. The morphology of the hybrid structures was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and x-ray diffraction (XRD). The electrical characteristics of the prepared gas sensor were measured at room temperature. Nanoparticles size, shape and specific surface area strongly influenced the currentvoltage characteristics. Considerable improvements in sensitivity, response and recovery times of gas sensor were noticed when decreasing the incorporated AuNPs into the meso-PSi matrix