Recent Advancements in TiO<sub>2</sub> Nanostructures: Sustainable Synthesis and Gas Sensing

The search for sustainable technology-driven advancements in material synthesis is a new norm, which ensures a low impact on the environment, production cost, and workers’ health. In this context, non-toxic, non-hazardous, and low-cost materials and their synthesis methods are integrated to compete...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Gayan W. C. Kumarage, Hadjer Hakkoum, Elisabetta Comini
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-04-01
Series:Nanomaterials
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/13/8/1424
Description
Summary:The search for sustainable technology-driven advancements in material synthesis is a new norm, which ensures a low impact on the environment, production cost, and workers’ health. In this context, non-toxic, non-hazardous, and low-cost materials and their synthesis methods are integrated to compete with existing physical and chemical methods. From this perspective, titanium oxide (TiO<sub>2</sub>) is one of the fascinating materials because of its non-toxicity, biocompatibility, and potential of growing by sustainable methods. Accordingly, TiO<sub>2</sub> is extensively used in gas-sensing devices. Yet, many TiO<sub>2</sub> nanostructures are still synthesized with a lack of mindfulness of environmental impact and sustainable methods, which results in a serious burden on practical commercialization. This review provides a general outline of the advantages and disadvantages of conventional and sustainable methods of TiO<sub>2</sub> preparation. Additionally, a detailed discussion on sustainable growth methods for green synthesis is included. Furthermore, gas-sensing applications and approaches to improve the key functionality of sensors, including response time, recovery time, repeatability, and stability, are discussed in detail in the latter parts of the review. At the end, a concluding discussion is included to provide guidelines for the selection of sustainable synthesis methods and techniques to improve the gas-sensing properties of TiO<sub>2</sub>.
ISSN:2079-4991