Electrospun La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 nanofibers for a high-temperature electrochemical carbon monoxide sensor

Abstract

Lanthanum strontium manganite (La0.8Sr0.2MnO3, LSM) nanofibers have been synthesized by the electrospinning method. The electrospun nanofibers are intact without morphological and structural changes after annealing at 1050 °C. The LSM nanofibers are employed as the sensing electrode of an electrochemical sensor with yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolyte for carbon monoxide detection at high temperatures over 500 °C. The electrospun nanofibers form a porous network electrode, which provides a continuous pathway for charge transport. In addition, the nanofibers possess a higher specific surface area than conventional micron-sized powders. As a result, the nanofiber electrode exhibits a higher electromotive force and better electro-catalytic activity toward CO oxidation. Therefore, the sensor with the nanofiber electrode shows a higher sensitivity, lower limit of detection and faster response to CO than a sensor with a powder electrode.