Abstract
This work presents a new route to design a highly sensitive SnO2–based sensor for acetone gas enhanced by the molecular imprinting technique. Unassisted and acetone-assisted thermal synthesis methods are used to synthesis SnO2 nanomaterials. The prepared SnO2 nanomaterials have been characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and N2 adsorption−desorption. Four types of SnO2 films were obtained by mixing pure deionized water and liquid acetone with the two types of as-prepared powders, respectively. The acetone gas sensing properties of sensors coated by these films were evaluated. Testing results reveal that the sensor coated by the film fabricated by mixing liquid acetone with the SnO2 nanomaterial synthesized by the acetone-assisted thermal method exhibits the best acetone gas sensing performance. The sensor is optimized for the smooth adsorption and desorption of acetone gas thanks to the participation of acetone both in the procedure of synthesis of the SnO2 nanomaterial and the device fabrication, which results in a distinct response–recovery behavior.
Highlights
Metal oxides have attracted the attention of many users and scientists interested in gas sensing under atmospheric conditions [1,2]
We designed highly sensitive SnO2-based acetone gas sensors enhanced by molecular imprinting technology
The sensor produced by incorporating acetone both during the nanomaterial synthesis and device fabrication exhibits the best performance in terms of high sensitivity, fast response recovery and excellent repeatability
Summary
Metal oxides have attracted the attention of many users and scientists interested in gas sensing under atmospheric conditions [1,2]. Wide investigation shows that nanostructures of SnO2 show high sensitivity to acetone gas, with short response times and fast recovery speeds [11,12,13]. The method of producing the sensing film can change the porosity of the SnO2 nanomaterials, which influences the performance of sensors [14]. Molecular imprinting technology is considered to have considerable potential for use in recognition in various sensor applications [15,16,17]. We designed highly sensitive SnO2-based acetone gas sensors enhanced by molecular imprinting technology. The sensor produced by incorporating acetone both during the nanomaterial synthesis and device fabrication exhibits the best performance in terms of high sensitivity, fast response recovery and excellent repeatability
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