APVV-21-0053: Semiconductor gas sensors with intrinsic memory based on resistive switching

The project is focused on substantial improvement of gas sensing properties of innovative chemoresistive gas sensors based on semiconducting metal oxides with capacitor-like electrode arrangement and their utilization as gas sensors with intrinsic memristor-based memory. The emphasis is put on decreasing the detection limit, i.e. the minimal concentration of the target gas the sensor is capable of detecting, as well as general increase of the sensor response. We aim to do so by implementing nanoporous top Pt electrodes. Regarding the utilization of such sensory structures as gas sensors with intrinsic memory, the project is focused on detailed characterization, development of a theoretical model describing the operation, and improvement of properties of the newly developed "gasistor" device based on such sensors, which combines the gas sensing and resistive switching in a single capacitor-like structure. This forms a device with new functionalities - a switch triggered by a change of the target gas concentration and a gas sensor with built-in memory based on the resistive switching principle. The aim of the project is also to analyze the resistive switching with continuous character, which has been observed in these structures, and utilize it as an analog memory. This would allow the sensors to "remember" the highest / lowest reached target gas concentration without any additional electronics.