Author ORCID Identifier
0009-0002-5128-4413
Biosketch
I specialize in the research and development of chemiresistive gas sensors based on two-dimensional (2D) materials and metal oxide nanostructures. My research focuses on the design and fabrication of 2D material–metal oxide heterostructures and nanocomposites to enhance gas-sensing performance. By engineering surface morphology, roughness, porosity, and active surface sites, my work focuses on improving gas adsorption and charge-transfer processes, thereby enhancing sensitivity, selectivity, response and recovery characteristics, and stability. Particular emphasis is placed on developing highly porous and surface-engineered sensing layers to achieve low limits of detection (LOD) for target gases. My research encompasses material synthesis, device fabrication, structural and morphological characterization, and gas-sensing studies, with potential applications in environmental monitoring, industrial safety, and healthcare.
Date of Award
8-8-2026
Document Type
Thesis
School
School of Electrical & Electroncis Engineering
Programme
Ph.D.-Doctoral of Philosophy
First Advisor
Dr.M.Sridharan
Keywords
ZnO nanograin, 2D Materials, DC Sputtering, Chemiresistive Sensor, Sustainable Ammonia Detection
Abstract
The escalating demand for sustainable gas sensors with low-ppm detection has driven research on surface-engineered nanomaterials for portable air-quality and health screening. This thesis focuses on the fabrication of nanostructured ZnO films as chemiresistive sensors for NH3 detection at RT. This study investigates surface modification using GO, rGO, g-C3N4, Ti3C2Tx; (Se, and Te) ink using a drop casting technique over DC-sputtered ZnO films. Surface modification plays a vital role by providing plenty of active sites, enhancing defective oxygen vacancy, facilitating charge transfer, and synergistic interaction between adsorbed oxygen species to enhance the sensing performance at RT. Among them trGO/ZnO hybrid sensor indicates malodorous selectivity toward NH3, along with fast response and recovery periods. A ~50-fold amplification in sensitivity than pristine ZnO is obtained with a LOD of 0.1 ppm, at RT. Additionally, the thesis explores the development of a portable, handheld NH3 sensing kit, including a touch display-based alert system for real-time surveillance.
Recommended Citation
N, Gowri Shonali Ms, "Surface-Modified Zinc Oxide Nanostructures for Ammonia Detection" (2026). Theses and Dissertations. 219.
https://knowledgeconnect.sastra.edu/theses/219