Cr-doped α-MoO3 nanorods for the fast detection of triethylamine using a pulse-heating strategy

Abstract

Triethylamine (TEA), a high-molecular amine, has a terrible desorption rate on oxide surfaces, and it remains a challenge to develop a rapid response sensor to detect it. Herein, Cr-doped α-MoO3 nanorods have been prepared through a grinding and subsequent annealing route. The microstructure of the as-obtained Cr-doped α-MoO3 nanorods was determined using various analysis techniques. Sensing experiments showed that the Cr-doped α-MoO3 nanorods exhibit a significant response for TEA, with actual concentrations as low as 1 ppm at 200 °C. Moreover, the sensor can be completely recovered after a TEA-sensing event in less than 2 min using pulse-heating at 300 °C in air. In addition, an ultrahigh selectivity for TEA against other vapors was observed. This doping method, combined with a pulse-heating technique, may act as an efficient strategy for designing a high-performance gas sensor.