Abstract
Pd-functionalized one-dimensional (1D) SnO2 nanostructures were synthesized via a facile hydrothermal method and shaddock peels were used as bio-templates to induce a 1D-fiber-like morphology into the gas sensing materials. The gas-sensing performances of sensors based on different ratios of Pd-functionalized SnO2 composites were measured. All results indicate that the sensor based on 5 mol % Pd-functionalized SnO2 composites exhibited significantly enhanced gas-sensing performances toward butane. With regard to pure SnO2, enhanced levels of gas response and selectivity were observed. With 5 mol % Pd-functionalized SnO2 composites, detection limits as low as 10 ppm with responses of 1.38 ± 0.26 were attained. Additionally, the sensor exhibited rapid response/recovery times (3.20/6.28 s) at 3000 ppm butane, good repeatability and long-term stability, demonstrating their potential in practical applications. The excellent gas-sensing performances are attributed to the unique one-dimensional morphology and the large internal surface area of sensing materials afforded using bio-templates, which provide more active sites for the reaction between butane molecules and adsorbed oxygen ions. The catalysis and “spillover effect” of Pd nanoparticles also play an important role in the sensing of butane gas as further discussed in the paper.
Highlights
Butane is a common gas, accounting for 70–80% in the mixtures of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) [1]
Different (0, 1, 3, 5, 7 mol %) Pd-functionalized SnO2 nanofibers were prepared via a facile hydrothermal method, using shaddock peels as bio-templates
After infiltration of the bio-templates with inorganic chemicals, an annealing process in air was carried out, in which the infiltrated chemicals reacted and sintered into an inorganic body of metal oxide material, while the scaffolding bio-templates were converted into CO2 and H2 O
Summary
Butane is a common gas, accounting for 70–80% in the mixtures of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) [1]. Storage and transportation of butane are very important issues, which should not be ignored. Once butane gas leakages happen, these could be harmful to environment or even threaten human’s health. Explosions could happen if butane concentrations exceed 1.6–8.5% by volume in air. When the concentration of butane exceeds 800 ppm in air, symptoms will occur in the human body, such as dizziness, syncope, nausea, etc. Precise monitoring of butane at low concentrations is beneficial to prevent accidental events. It is necessary to develop gas sensors with good gas-sensing performances (such as high gas response, low detection limit, good selectivity, rapid response/recovery, low operating temperature and good stability) to monitor and detect butane gas at real-time
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