II–VI Semiconductor-Polymer Nanocomposites and Their Gas-Sensing Properties

II–VI Semiconductor-Based Conductometric Gas Sensors: Is There a Future for These Sensors?

“…All of the above indicates that II–VI semiconductors, in their properties, in many cases, are analogues of metal oxides. This similarity explains why many attempts have been made in recent years to develop conductometric gas sensors based on them [ 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 ]. In addition, it has been established that II–VI semiconductor compounds have other properties that are important for gas-sensitive materials intended for use in conductometric gas sensors [ 45 ]: (i) semiconductors have acceptable conductivity; (ii) the band gap is sufficient to operate at elevated temperatures; and (iii) the surface has the properties necessary for effective interaction with the target gas.…”

“…Conductometric gas sensors based on ZnS, CdS, ZnSe, and CdSe, with high sensitivity to various gases can indeed be created. Currently, a fairly large number of articles and reviews have been published with research results in this area [ 29 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 49 ]. The main results of these studies can be summarized as follows: First, gas sensors based on II–VI semiconductors are sensitive to toxic and flammable gases and vapors.…”

“…As shown by Kumar et al [ 42 ], semiconductor–polymer nanocomposites can also be used to develop gas sensors based on II–VI compounds. Interest in such composites is due to the fact that by changing the amount and size of nanomaterials in a II–VI semiconductor–polymer composite, it is possible to achieve the increased sensitivity and selectivity of polymer gas sensors towards hazardous gases [ 102 , 103 , 104 ].…”