MOF-derived porous In2O3 nanospheres sensitized by CdS quantum dots: A ppb-level NO2 sensor with ultra-high response at room-temperature

Abstract

NO2 is one of the most important atmosphere pollutants, causing great harm to the human body at very low concentrations (ppb levels). Herein, a novel fabrication idea for gas sensing materials was reported to detect ppb-level NO2 via MOF-derived porous In2O3 nanospheres (NSs) sensitized by CdS quantum dots (QDs). The good distribution of CdS QDs (2.5–4.0nm) on porous In2O3 NSs was verified by the transmission electron microscopy and element mapping analyses. In comparison to In2O3 NSs, the CdS@In2O3 composite nanospheres (CNSs) exhibited exceptional responses to ppb-level concentrations of NO2 (S=425.1@100 ppb) at room temperature (RT, 25 ºC), while also demonstrating good selectivity and response reproducibility. These improvements in sensing performance were attributed to the synergies of the electronic effects of CdS QDs, MOF-derived porous nanostructures, and enhanced adsorption of NO2 and active O2– by well-dispersed CdS QDs. This work emphasizes that the MOF-derived In2O3 porous NSs sensitized by CdS QDs can accurately detect ppb-level concentrations of the NO2 at RT.