UV-enhanced Mg:MOF-ZnO sensor for n-butanol gas detection at a lower operating temperature

Abstract

In this study, a novel UV-enhanced Mg-doped MOF-ZnO sensor was investigated for its efficient detection of n-butanol gas at lower temperatures. The composite samples were prepared by the co-precipitation method with the appropriate component ratio. The structure, morphology, and optical properties of the as-prepared samples were systematically analyzed through XRD, SEM, TEM, BET, XPS, and UV–vis characterizations. The gas-sensitive performances based on the pristine MOF-ZnO and Mg-doped MOF-ZnO sensor series with the doping levels of 1 %, 3 %, 5 %, and 7 % (wt%) were comprehensively evaluated by adopting the gas-sensitive system. Among them, the 3 % Mg:MOF-ZnO sensor has given prominence to the largest specific surface area and highest oxygen vacancy concentration demonstrating the most excellent gas-sensing performance. Furthermore, with the aid of UV excitation, the 3 % Mg:MOF-ZnO sensor had achieved the enhanced response value of 2049 that was 4.44 times higher than that of pristine MOF-ZnO to 100 of ppm n-butanol at a low temperature of 246 °C, additionally presented out the superior reproducibility with speedy response/recovery time (12/22 s), the theoretical detection limit as low as 200 ppb, as well as the excellent long-term stability and selectivity for n-butanol. This study offers a promising strategy for the well-development of high-performance n-butanol sensors.