Diamondoids, sp3 -hybridized nanometer-sized diamond-like hydrocarbons (nanodiamonds), difunctionalized with hydroxy and primary phosphine oxide groups, enable the assembly of the first sp3 -C-based chemical sensors by vapor deposition. Both pristine nanodiamonds and palladium nanolayered composites can be used to detect toxic NO2 and NH3 gases. This carbon-based gas sensor technology allows reversible NO2 detection down to 50 ppb and NH3 detection at 25-100 ppm concentration with fast response and recovery processes at 100 °C. Reversible gas adsorption and detection is compatible with 50 % humidity conditions. Semiconducting p-type sensing properties are achieved from devices based on primary phosphine-diamantanol, in which high specific area (ca. 140 m2 g-1 ) and channel nanoporosity derive from H-bonding.
Keywords: gas sensing; hybrid materials; nanodiamonds; palladium; phosphine.
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