Synthesis of biomorphic tube-like CuO using pomelo white flesh as biotemplate and its sensing properties over H2S at room temperature

Abstract

Biomorphic tube-like CuO was synthesized using pomelo white flesh as biotemplate for the first time. The sample showed a good selectivity to H2S in gasoline 92#, formaldehyde, CH4, H2, CO, toluene, acetone, and ethanol. Although there was an obvious change in response/recovery time with H2S concentration from 10 ppb to 10 ppm, all the response/recovery times were <60 s. Moreover, the sample exhibited stable detection performance for 5 ppm H2S at room temperature over a testing period of 3 months. The detection levels were uniform during cycling. This outstanding sensing performance is attributed to the unique structure, which was convenient for H2S molecule adsorption and facilitated the transformation of semiconducting p-type CuO to metallic CuS during H2S detection.