Enhanced ethanol gas detection using TiO2 nanorods dispersed in cholesteric liquid crystal: Synthesis, characterization, and sensing performance

This research presents an innovative approach for ethanol gas detection by utilizing a cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) dispersed with titanium dioxide nanorods (TiO2 NRs). Titanium dioxide nanorods (TiO2 NRs) are synthesized using a hydrothermal method, ensuring uniform and effective doping process in the CLC matrix. The morphological and structural properties of the synthesized TiO2 nanorods are thoroughly analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), revealing the successful formation of rod-like structures. Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis confirms the porous nature of these nanorods, with a surface area of 3.158 m²/g and a mesoporous distribution featuring an average pore size of 14.0 nm. The CLC/TiO2 NRs sensor shows high sensitivity and rapid detection, with a response time of 21 sec. It also exhibits excellent selectivity against various gases, maintaining consistent performance over multiple cycles. The enhanced sensing performance is attributed to the interaction between ethanol gas molecules and TiO2 NRs, leading to a change in resistance within the CLC matrix. This work demonstrates the potential of TiO2 NRs in enhancing the capabilities of CLCs for environmental sensing and provides a promising direction for future research in developing highly sensitive and selective gas sensors. [Display omitted] •TiO2 NRs are produced hydrothermally. TEM and SEM show rod-like structure.•TiO2 NRs excel in gas-sensing due to their porous nature, with a 3.158 m²/g surface area and 14 nm pore size.•The CLC/TiO2 NRs sensor detects ethanol gas in 21 sec with great sensitivity.•PL analysis reveals the highest density of oxygen vacancy defects in CLC/TiO2 NRs, compared to CLC.•The sensor is very selective and stable during gas-sensing cycles.