C3N4 modified PdO-Ru-functionalized ZnO long-grained nanoparticles for fast detection of ppb-level triethylamine

Abstract

Triethylamine is a vital chemical raw material, but its leakage will pollute the environment and harm human health. It is particularly important to achieve detection of triethylamine. Here, PdRu nanoparticles, ZnO long-grained nanoparticles and C3N4 were prepared for the identification of low concentrations of triethylamine. The response value of the sensor based on PdO-Ru/ZnO-C3N41 to 20 ppm triethylamine was 96 at 220 °C. Furthermore, the lowest detection amount of it was as low as 50 ppb. And the time for rapid detection of 20 ppm triethylamine was shown to be 1 s. Besides, a circuit was designed to detect triethylamine in real time and raise the alarm when the concentration of triethylamine exceeded a threshold. The catalytic ability of PdRu nanoparticles and the formation of n-n heterojunction between ZnO and C3N4 were conducive to enhancing the sensing performance. This work provides a way for monitoring of triethylamine and timely warning in chemical plants.