Anodic Aluminum Oxide-Based Chemi-Capacitive Sensor for Ethanol Gas

Alcohol ingested by humans can be analyzed via breath tests; however, approximately 1% can be excreted via the skin. In this paper, we present a capacitive sensor using hydrophobically treated anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) capable of detecting alcohol excreted through the epidermis. The degree of hydr...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Gi-Hwan Lim, In-Yea Kim, Ji-Young Park, Yong-Ho Choa, Jae-Hong Lim
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-12-01
Series:Nanomaterials
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/14/1/70
Description
Summary:Alcohol ingested by humans can be analyzed via breath tests; however, approximately 1% can be excreted via the skin. In this paper, we present a capacitive sensor using hydrophobically treated anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) capable of detecting alcohol excreted through the epidermis. The degree of hydrophobicity based on the duration of exposure to 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane vapor comprising a small number of Si–NH<sub>2</sub> functional groups on the AAO surface was confirmed and the optimal exposure time was confirmed to be 60 min. The hydrophobized AAO showed a 4.8% reduction in sensitivity to moisture. Simultaneously, the sensitivity of the sensor to ethanol decreased by only 12%. Lastly, the fabricated sensor was successfully operated by attaching it to an ankle-type breathalyzer.
ISSN:2079-4991